1st Sat Hunt - Across from Whole Foods, Elmhurst, Rt 93 north of St Charles Rd - CFAR input 147.750MHz 2nd Sat Hunt - Downers Grove Golf Club parking lot, off Belmont Rd south of Odgen Av - Simplex 146.565 MHz 3rd Sat Hunt - Centennial Park, Addison, Rohlwing Rd, 0.4 miles south of Lake St - CFMC input 146.160 MHz 4th Sat Hunt - WoodDale Rd between Thorndale and Irving Pk Rd - Simplex 146.34 MHz 5th Sat Hunt - Contact Mike at phone number below as hunt info and rules may be different from above hunts. For further info contact Mike WA9FTS or call at 708-457-0966
Hunters gather about a half hr before the hunt. Everyone is invited to participate or ride along (call in advance).
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 4th, 2023 - by Mike WA9FTS - Matt KC9SEM & Gang
Even though it was great weather, only 3 hunters showed up. We got them off at 8:02. The spot that was chosen was in Schaumburg. Bock Park had a parking lot next to it and we parked next to a large dumpster. This took driving around homes and finally in to the right spot. Tom got in at 8:34 with Don showing up minute later. John and Janet took Army Trail Rd. This path took them longer and they ended the hunt at 8:54. We went to Pilot Pete’s for the munch. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA - 8:34 2. Don W9RA - 8:35 3.John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:54
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 8th, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS -Fox John WD9EXW & Janet
Five hunts got off with a good signal from John. We headed north. We collected north of 390 and Thorndale Rd. A large water tower gave us problems with a strong reflection. Several of us went around the tower fence into heavy brush. In the end we found John and Janet in their Caravan in the open next to the heavy brush. We went to Buona Beef nearby. Results: 1. Marty N9LTE 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU, Mike WA9FTS 3. Don W9RA 4. Tom N9CBA 5. Pete K9PW
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sep 2nd, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS -Fox KC9SEM and family
Four hunters started off with a good signal the west. The possible spot chosen by John was Ackerman Park north of St. Charles and east of Main St. John got out and ran north. I stayed with Janet as the hunters got close to Matt and his family. They chose a spot on the same street the Sandersons and Willliams lived. A tried up creek separated the two on Glenrise Ave.They were under the road waiting for the hunters to arrive. Three did and we headed to Barones’s on Penn St. Results. 1. John WD9EXW, Janet, Mike WA9FTS -8:36 2. Tom N9CBA - 8:38 3. Don W9RA - 8:46 DNF - Pete K9PW
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 5th, 2023 by Tom N9CBA
It had rained much of the day, but was clearing. Tom N9CBA was prepared to hide out of the car, but renewed sprinkles triggered the hide in the car. Hide spot was at coordinates 41.75031 -87.87515.
The antenna was a 3-ele tape measure beam driven by 10 watts. The antenna was mostly horizontal and only 4 or 5 ft up, but aimed at trying to get a good bounce from the upper part of the nearby squat water tower/tank. Signal was weak at the starting point.
Jacob ran some to get to the fox, which they had spotted. Clearly they took the optimum route -- south on 83, and west on Plainfield Road. I also suspect the transmission happened to hit at a very fortunate time. John and Janet took a similar route but probably did not luck out as much for the transmission.
Marty was hunting Don-style (no outside antenna-- stop and take readings with the portable gear), so his was quite good. New Tesla Y for Marty. Roof rack may or may not be feasible. Let's see.
Don was also hunting Don-style. :-)
Munch was at Buona Darian on Cass. With the nice weather, we sat outside in the covered patio. 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU 8:22 2. John WD9EXW, Janet 8:26 3. Marty N9LTE 8.31 4. Pete K9PW 8:48 5. Don W9RA dnf.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - July 1st, 2023 by Tony AA9CC - Fox Tony AA9CC
41.744502 -87.847104
1 Tom N9CBA 9:00 2 Don W9RA 9:07 3 Tim KC9YFI, Michelle KD9DJT 9:12 DNF Pete K9PW 9:30
12 miles from the Whole Foods parking lot. Rain was forecast. Signal was a strong 2 at the start with 35 watts and the foxhunt beam on the VW. Met afterward at Henrys tacos.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jun 3rd, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Don W9RA
The weather was great - mid 70s. Don got the 4 hunters off with a good signal to the NW. The good move ws to take Lake St to Irving Pk Rd to a small park called Happy Acres. Don was behind a bush on the west side sitting in a chair. He had a potable 3 el beam and 25w. First to find Don was Tony followed by John. Tom got off on foot for 3rd. Matt’s team saw Tom on foot and drove away. We came back to end the hunt. We met at Marino’s on Rohlwing Rd. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC 2. John WD9EXW, Janet 3. Tom N9CBA 4. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU, Mike WA9FTS
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May 6th, 2023 by Tony AACC - Fox - Tony AA9CC
I was driving around and spotted this driveway after checking out a few spots and drove up it. Doesn't look steep in the image. From my vantage point I could see the first 3 hunters parked across the street and then found me on foot, the last 2 walked down from the park above after being seen across the street a few transmissions prior.. Fox was almost due south from the start about 16 miles. 41.688140, -87.935768 Results: 1. Don W9RA - 8:48 - Broken clock is right twice a day, he argued for second place. 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU, Mike WA9FTS - 8:58 - Screwed up and took 88 west to 355 .
3. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:59 4. Pete K9PW - 9:10 5. Tom N9BCA - 9:25
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Apr 1st, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Matt KC9SEM
Since Mac was sick, Matt was the only one to go out as the fox. I joined him as we headed to Naperville. We found a parking area around several large buildings but in the open. The weather was in the upper 30s and somewhat windy but much better than the night before. Five hunters were released at 8:04. Matt thought the first hunter should arrive about 8:40. That was close as Tony drove up for the win at 8:36. Matt asked Tony where we should meet and Tony picked Buona Beef which was very close. Five minutes later John and Janet drove up for 2nd. Another 6 min later Pete walked in from another direction for 3rd. Don said he was not close by and gave up going to the munch. Tom showed up in about the same location Pete was and walked in the end the hunt. We all met at Buono Beef. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC - 8:36 2. John WD9EXW, Jnet - 8:41 3. Pete K9PW - 8:47 4. Tom N9CBA - 9:10 DNF Don W9RA - 8:53
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Mar 4th, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Marty N9LTE, Bill & John
Eight hunters arrived to find Marty. It was a weak signal and 6 of thee 8 hunters got a direction to the west. The signal did not get stronger as we headed down Roosevelt Rd. Was Marty west of the Fox River? Yes he was as the hunters arrived a mix of condos and businesses. Matt and his group spotted Marty’s car with a yagi on the roof and a sign telling him to go into Rose’s place for the win. There were about 4 hunters running around and spotted the car and scored within minutes of one another. We then found out it was Marty’s birthday (59) and he was going to buy everyone’s food. Bill’s birthday was 4 days earlier. They had a cake for everyone. Marty controlled the radio in his car with a Yaesu VX-7R. The Icom 2350 running 50w was in the car. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU - 8:52 2. Tim KC9YFI, Michelle KD9DJT, Landon, Autumn - 9:00 3. John WD9EXW, Janet, Mike WA9FTS - 9:01 4. Tony AA9CC - 9:02 5. Tom N9CBA - 9:03 6. Pete K9PW - 9:14 7. Mike N0MO, Wyatt - 9:22 DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 4th, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU, Mike WA9FTS
Seven hunters were ready to find us. We hid in a business parking lot south of I-88 and north of Diehl Rd. It was a little tricky to get in. The hunt started at 8:08. We saw Pete drive past going west. He was committed to Winfield Rd and took Diehl Rd east. He past in front of us at 8:37 and drove away. Later he came back to find us for the win. A minute later Marty and Bill came in 2nd with Mike N0MO five minutes later for 3rd. Another 6 min later John and Janet arrived for 4th followed by Tim and Michelle for 5th. Tom drove in 2 min later for 6th. At 9:04 Don gave up and we headed to Buono Beef a half mile to the south. Results: 1. Pete K9PW - 8:44 2. Marty N9LTE, Bill - 8:45 3. Mike N0MO - 8:50 4. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:56 5. Tim KC9YFI, Michelle KD9DJT 6. Tom N9CBA - 8:58 DNF Don W9RA - 9:04
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 7th, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Tony AA9CC
Tony and Matt swapped hides between the 1st Sat and 3rd Sat hunts. John K9JK stopped by to say hi. There were 6 hunters as Tony got them off with a good signal to the south. Most of the hunters took Rt 83 south. What side of 55 was Tony hiding - north or south? Tom stayed north as most hunters went south. Tony was north of 55. Matt’s team turned around and headed north and east. Tony teased the hunters with hiding in a really good spot. We went to a park - Harvester Pk. There were great places as we checked out a playground with slides and small buildings to climb up. We headed to the parking lot to find Tony in his red VW for the win. Shortly other hunters arrived to check out the playground to go back to the parking lot to also find Tony. Every hunter finished as we headed to a local Portillo’s. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU, Mike WA9FTS 2. Marty N9LTE 3. John WD9EXW, Janet 4. Don W9RA 5. Pete K9PW 6. Tom N9CBA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 7th, 2023 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Tony AA9CC
Tony and Matt swapped hides between the 1st Sat and 3rd Sat hunts. John K9JK stopped by to say hi. There were 6 hunters as Tony got them off with a good signal to the south. Most of the hunters took Rt 83 south. What side of 55 was Tony hiding - north or south? Tom stayed north as most hunters went south. Tony was north of 55. Matt’s team turned around and headed north and east. Tony teased the hunters with hiding in a really good spot. We went to a park - Harvester Pk. There were great places as we checked out a playground with slides and small buildings to climb up. We headed to the parking lot to find Tony in his red VW for the win. Shortly other hunters arrived to check out the playground to go back to the parking lot to also find Tony. Every hunter finished as we headed to a local Portillo’s. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU, Mike WA9FTS 2. Marty N9LTE 3. John WD9EXW, Janet 4. Don W9RA 5. Pete K9PW 6. Tom N9CBA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 4th, 2022 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Tom N9CBA
There were 6 hunters to find Tom. In the beginning, Tom gave us a strong signal and then for the release, he was not heard. It took a few minutes and we were ready to go with a signal to the west. Most of the hunters went north to North Ave and then started to get readings to the south. We ended up meeting together around Roosevelt Rd and west of Main St near Lambert. A number of hunters were on foot. Matt’s team arrived at Taft and Lambert. We got out and headed for a wooded area to find Tom behind several trees for the win. Tony arrived for 2nd with John capturing 3rd. The rest of the hunters were there within minutes and the hunt was over. We went to Buona Beef on Roosevelt. Results:
1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU, Mike WA9FTS 2. Tony AA9CC 3. John WD9EXW, Janet 4. Don W9RA 5. Marty N9LTE, Andy 6. Pete K9PW
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 5th, 2022 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - John WD9EXW, Janet
Four hunters arrived to find John and Janet. The weather was windy but no rain. John and Janet found a spot win Schaumburg at the train station parking lot SW of the station. They were in the Caravan. I joined them just after the start of the hunt. Tom arrived driving up to us for the win. He was the only one to do so. Seven minutes later Jacob ran up for 2nd. Tim and Pete cme in from the station with Tim capturing 3rd and Pete 4th. When Don found out he was the only one out, he chose Pilat Pete’s and we were off to munchies. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA - 8:29 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac KD9VVU - 8:36 3. Tim KC9YFI, Mike N0MO - 8:40 4. Pete K9PW - 8:51 Unoff Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 1st, 2022 by Mike WA9FTS - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac, Mike WA9FTS
Matt got the hunt started just after 8PM. Patty and Mac went back to their house. I got there about 8:10 and we walked to the park and found Matt and Jacob. Matt used a vertical up abut 8ft on a metal bracket. Several hunters arrive but who would figure out where we were. We saw Tony first but he disappeared. Shortly John arrived for the win. Three minutes later Don walked up for 2nd. It took another 3 minutes and Tony arrive with added weight - burrs all over his jacket. This had to be a record for foxhunts. Tony and I did not join the rest of the hunters as they went to Portillo’s on North Av.
Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:4234 2. Don W9RA - 8;37 3. Tony AA9CC - 8:39 4. Tom N9CBA - 8:54
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sep 4th, 2022 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox John WD9EXW
Local heavy rain was predicted with most areas expected to get no rain. The Williams and Sandersons were not so lucky with heavy rain and strong winds. A tree between the two was blown down giving them something to do on Sunday. John found a spot at the north end of Consumer Ave off off Northwest Hwy and the US Post Office in Palatine. We hid to the east of a large dumpster. A 2M vertical was above the Caravan and John used a portable radio running 80W. Three hunters were released at 8:08. The guess was it would take about 30 min for the first hunter to appear. At 8:42 Tom drove up to score for the win. He had room enough to park between the Caravan and the dumpster to hide his car. Five minutes later Pete walked in for 2nd. Seven minutes later we spotted flashlights to our right and Jacob showed and pointed at his grandpa to end the hunt. We went to Moretti’s in Schaumburg. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA - 8:42 2. Pete K9PW - 8;47 3. Jacob KD9VLF, Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mac - 8:54
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 6th, 2022 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Matt KC9SEM
Another hot evening with 5 hunter eager to find Matt and his family. The hunters were off to the west taking North Av. Several hunters got off and others stayed west. Choosing Bloomingdale Rd to Geneva got us close. John got a 6 on the sniffer and it was to the back of Planet Fitness. Don drove past us and we thought he had beaten us for the win. We found out he did not see Matt’s car and came back for 2nd. A few minutes later we drove away and saw Tony on foot running in for 3rd. Later Tom and Mike ended the hunt and we headed for Culver’s on Schmale Rd. Results:
1. John WD9EXW, Janet, Mike WA9FTS 2. Don W9RA 3. Tony AA9CC 4. Tom N9CBA 5. Mike N9MO
Hide Spot: 41.889703,-88.092601
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - July 2nd, 2022 by Tom N9CBA
Winning route was 83 to 31st st. Approached from south and did not go north of E-W tollway after 31st street until scoring. Saw the fox's car which was parked a few hundred yards east in another parking lot. Matt took readings, and sent Mac in for the score. 3-element yagi up about 15 ft. Mostly horizontal. 5 watts. Everybody heard. Munch Lou Malnati’s 18W080 22nd St; Oakbrook Terrace Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob KD9VLF, Mac 8:28 2. Tony SS9CC 8:32 3. Don W9RA 8:40 4. Pete K9PW 5. John WD9EXW, Janet, Mike WA9FTS Additional info - Jacob passed his FCC test and is a ham - KD9VLF. We all wished Tony a Happy 64th Birthday. Also Don brought home-made chocolate cookies that were great.
Hide Spot - 41.844399 , -87.949702
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - June 4th, 2022 - by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLW, Mac Since I had a family get-together early in the day, I got home too late to participate in the hunt. I called Matt and arranged to hide with them. Matt found a spot behind a medical building at 311 S County Farm Rd. They hid behind bushes next to a parking lot with a tape measure beam up about 12 ft. The hunt started at 8:15 with 5 hunters leaving to find us. The first to arrive was Tom who shortly arrive from another parking lot south of us. He pushed his way through dense bushes and thought we were there. Suddenly he turned around to find us for the win. It took another 15 minutes with Marty and John and Janet to drive in north of us. Marty got out and headed to us seconds before John for 2nd. Another 2 min saw Tony coming in the same way Tom did for 4th. John JK was close but gave up as the time to get to Culver’s was getting short. We all got there in time to order food. Results: 1 - Tom N9CBA 8:52 2 - Marty N9LTE 9:09 3 - John WD9EXW, Janet 9:09 4 - Tony AA9CC 9:11 DNF John K9JK 9:25
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May 7th, 2022 by the Fox Pete K9PW
It was a beautiful evening. At 55F with clear skies and a light breeze, there was no choice but to hide out of the car. Pete (K9PW) used his repeater again as the fox. This time the output power was 15 Watts to a quarter wave vertical antenna which was attached to the repeater’s box. The repeater box was under a tarp on the ground next to a fence. The location was a grassy area adjacent to a residential area of Oak Brook, southwest of the I-88 & IL-83 interchange. At only 3.5 miles from the starting point, the fox’s signal was heard by 100% of the hunters. Some getting a 1 on their VK sniffer. Hunters were released at 8:05 PM. Just seven minutes later, at least two hunters were seen driving past the fox, southbound on IL-83. It was exactly halfway between two transmissions, so they didn’t realize that they were within 50 yards of the fox. However, Matt spotted the fox’s car parked 1000 feet east of IL-83 in Central Park. Obviously, Matt does not need an eye exam! From the fox’s car to the transmitter was a quarter mile walk. And IL-83 can only be crossed using a tunnel for a bike path. This delayed most of the hunters. Five of the six hunting groups eventually found the tunnel. Only Don (W9RA) drove to the correct side of IL-83 & had a very short walk. Munch for the second week in a row was at Jason's Deli. 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:26 2. David AC9VW, Tom N9CBA - 8:47 3. Mike WA9FTS, John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:49 4. Don W9RA - 8:52 5. John K9JK - 8:58 6. Tim KC9YFI, Mike N0MO - 9:05
Transmitter Location 41.84290,-87.95836
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Apr 2nd, 2022 - by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Tony AA9CC
Another cold but clear evening There was some snow earlier in the afternoon but it was all gone by hunt time. Seven hunters were off to find Tony and drove south. Tony was in his car behind the Packaging Hero building in Bolingbrook. I did not get times from Tony or directions of the hunters. This is how they came in to score. Results:
1. Pete K9PW 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 3. John WD9EWX, Janet 4. Marty N9LTE, Bill 5. Tom N9CBA, David AC9VW 6. Mike WA9FTS DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Mar 5th, 2022 - by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac
There was a threat of rain and high winds for the evening. David recovered from his latest injury to join Tom. There were 7 hunters as we started the hunt with high winds and some rain. Matt had a good signal to the SE. As the hunters went south, the rain slowed but the wind was very strong. The hunters went south and west. Matt and his family were in their car in Lombard off Walnut Av and north of Maple Av. They were parked behind the McBath Construction and it was a drive-up. Tony got there 2 min ahead of Marty and Bill and me. Tom and David arrive shortly for 4th. All the hunters finished and we went to Culver’s on Ogden Av. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC 2. Marty N9LTE, Bill 3. Mike WA9FTS 4. Tom N9CBA, David AC9VW 5. John WD9EXW, Janet 6. Don W9RA 7. Tim KC9YFI, Michelle KD9DJT
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 5th, 2022
I picked Red Robin for munch. We had been there before, but not recently, a good menu, beer available, and open to 11 PM. This was a backup spot. I intended to hide near the defunct Odyssey Fun Park, but when I got there, I discovered it was newly fenced and gated. I learned of the backup spot because there's a doctor office in the buildingSet up in the car with 5/8 mag mount. Could key the repeater with low power, but wasn't making the start point. Increased to 35 watts, was still noisey but we got started. Saw Dave & Tom first to the East on West St, but before they could turn around and zero in, Matt pulled up for first
1 - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac + group 8:49 2 - Tom N9CBA, Dave AC9VW 8:50 3 - Pete K9PW 9:03 DNF Don W9RA 8:56 DNF Mike WA9FTS 9:05 At munch, we discussed possible visit to the national hunt.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt
Jan 1st - New Years Day - Cancellec
Rescheduled for Feb 5th
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 4th, 2021 - by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Tony AA9CC
Another great evening as seven hunters arrived to find Tony. It was a weak signal but it was to the SW. Many of the hunters went west and then south. John and Janet continued to shine as they won another hunt - their 10th of the year. They took 83 south to Ogden and over to Finley/Belmont south to 75th. They drove into an industrial area and off on foot to find Tony in his car in a grassy area for the win. I thought Tony was east of 355 and got caught in a large shopping center. Everyone except Don found Tony and we ended up at Culver’s on Ogden since Baker’s Square nearby was closing at 9PM. Tom N9CBA, recovering from a hip operation, and Michelle joined us. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Janet 2. David AC9VW, Tim KC9YFI 3. Pete K9PW 4. Marty N9LTE 5. Mike WA9FTS 6. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 6th, 2021 - by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Matt KC9SEM & Mac
Another great evening as seven hunters went after Matt and his family. We all heard Matt. Most of the hunters took North Av and went west. I went south to Roosevelt - bad move. After discovering Finley Rd was closed I made it up a side street to Columbine and Army Trail Rd. Matt was in the park - Ackerman Park. Tony and David and Tom’s cars were there. I saw Tony and John EXW on foot. Which baseball diamond was Matt hiding in? I finally found Matt and Mac for 5th. Nobody else was around. At Portillo’s Matt told me he was running 5w to a tape measure beam. Portillo’s at North and Bloomingdale was selected as the munch spot. The first 5 places were within 6 minutes - a close finish. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC - 8:29PM 2. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:30PM 3. Don W9RA - 8:32PM 4. David AC9VW, Tom N9CBA - 8:33PM 5. Mike WA9FTS - 8:35PM 6. Marty N9LTE, Bill - 8:47PM 7. John K9JK - 8:58PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 2nd, 2021 - by Mike WA9FTS - Fox John WD9EXW & Janet
John got 4 hunters off with a weak signal to the SE. It did not rain as was earlier predicted. Most of the hunters took 83 south. When should we head east? Some of the hunters went down to I55 and Plainfield Rd. Matt thought John was on the west side of 294. I headed to a church at County Farm Rd and Plainfield. My GPS showed a frontage road east of 294 with access off 55th. I was delayed by a car at 55th for 3 min. Then I was off east to Woodland Dr and the frontage road. Suddenly a car was right behind me and I pulled over to let it pass. It was Matt! They got there to find John and Janet in their Caravan near the toll worker’s entrance for the win. I arrive about 30 sec later for 2nd. A minute later Tom arrive for 3rd. Don, who was just east of us, gave up. We headed to Portillo’s at 83 and Plainfield Rd. John was running 5w to a Larson Mag mount on the roof of the Caravan. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:34 2. Mike WA9FTS - 8:34 3. Tom N9CBA - 8:35 DNF - Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sep 4th, 2021 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac
Rain in the late afternoon was forecast and it was drizzling before the hunt. Charlie KB9DIM paid us a visit to see us off. The rain stopped and we were off. About half the hunters took North Av west and others took 83 north to 290 and Lake St. The best move was North Av. John and Janet headed north on Schmale with Tom close by. Matt found a difficult spot south of Viking Supply and near a Carol Stream water tower. It was a drive-up spot but hard to get to. John and Janet made it for the win with Tom 2nd. Pete, John JK and I were close and passing each other often. Pete made it in for 3rd with John JK 4th and I finally walked in from the Viking parking lot for 5th. As I drove away, Don drove up, and like me, walked in to end the hunt. We met at Culver’s nearby. Results:
1. John WD9EXW, Janet 2. Tom N9CBA 3. Pete K9PW 4. John K9JK 5. Mike WA9FTS 6. Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 7th, 2021 by Mike WA9FTS
Another day rain was scheduled by the weather report. We had a dry hunt. Five hunters showed up to find John WD9EXW. After changing antennas to improve the signal level, the hunters were off to the NW. Most of the hunters got to Irving Pk and Roselle Rd. Tom got to Parkside Pk and was off on foot. Matt’s team arrived right behind with Matt getting out to pass Tom for the win - only seconds between them. Marty and Jeanall drove in and 10 min later secured 3rd. I arrived from the south on Ardmore Ave 5 min later for 4th. Don, not giving up, drove in and ended the hunt at 9PM. Jacob and Mac had fun at the Roselle Skate Pk while the hunters were arriving. We met at the Italian Pizza Kitchen less than a mile away on Irving Pk Rd. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:25PM 2. Tom N9CBA - 8:25PM 3. Marty N9LTE, Jeanall - 8:35PM 4. Mike WA9FTS - 8:40PM 5. Don W9RA - 9:00PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - July 3rd, 2021 by Mike WA9FTS
Another great evening for a foxhunt. Patty N9PLS hid for Matt as 6 hunt teams prepared to find her. Charlie KB9DIM stopped by to say hello to the hunters. The hunt started a few minutes after 8PM with a very weak signal to the SW. Several hunters took North Ave west to Kirk and south. Patty was west of the Fox River near Batavia. She found a small and dark parking lot off Houston St and Waters St. She was outside her car with here dog on a blanket. John and Janet were first to find her with Tom arriving shortly for 2nd. Tony got to her for 3rd. I got help from John to get to the Riverside Pizza. Now I had to find Patty. I placed a food order and then off to find Patty. Pete arrive after finding her for 4th. Shortly I arrive to find Patty and her dog. Walking back to the Pizza place, the hunters prepared to drive over to the hiding spot with their food. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Janet 2. Tom N9CBA 3. Tony AA9CC 4. Pete K9PW 5. Mike WA9FTS DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - June 5th, 2021 by Pete K9PW
On a warm summer evening, seven teams of hunters assembled at the starting point in Elmhurst. In addition, Don (W9RA) hunted unofficially by starting from home. Most hunters heard the fox at the starting point. Although some had bad bearings. The hunters were released at 8:06pm.
The fox was using a repeater again. The same hardware as fox #5 of the previous week. It was placed under a tree, adjacent to a walkway near the Salt Creek. Output power was 10 Watts. Later in the hunt, it was increased to 50 Watts to help those that had strayed.
The fox transmitter was being controlled from Pete's car more than 600' away. Two groups found Pete in this car very quickly, but were disappointed to find out that the fox was being remotely controlled.
Not wasting time, those hunters quickly exited their cars to finish the hunt on foot. Soon, additional hunters arrived. Many hunters had 7, 8 or even 9 on their sniffers & still were searching in the brush & grass for the fox. All did finish.
Munch was indoors again! This time at Jason's Deli.
Fox location: N41.84968 W87.93400 (3.4 miles from the starting point.)
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May, 1st, 2021 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Mike WA9FTS for Tony AA9CC The weather was like summer with temps around 80F. Four hunt teams started off at 8:06PM. I hid at the shopping Center south and west of Lake St and Fairview Way. The spot picked was at the southwest end of a long row of stores behind Bentley’s Pancake House. Only a part of the front of the Jeep could be seen. Twenty seven min into the hunt, Pete drove up for the win. He took North Av e to York to 290 off on Lake St and in behind the stores. Good route. At 8:44 Janet drove up with John getting out to secure 2nd. It was just before 9PM with Jacob running up for 3rd. At 9:20 Tom and David arrived to end the hunt. Portillo’s was a few hundred feet away on Lake St. Results: 1. Pete K9PW - 8:33PM 2. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:44PM 3. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:58PM 4. Tom N9CBA, David AC9VW - 9:20PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - April, 3rd, 2021 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Marty N9LTE I was the only one no to find Marty and missed a close finish for 1st. Tony got to Marty a couple of seconds before Jacob for the win. The other hunters found the fox in good time also. Marty was running 2.5w to a horizontal 3 el beam. He selected Portillo’s at Rt 59 and Jefferson. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC - 8:52PM 2. Jacob, Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mac - 8:52PM Unoff Don W9RA - 8:55PM 3. John WD9EXW, Janet - 9:01PM 4. David AC9VW, Tom N9CBA - 9:03PM 5. Pete K9PW - 9:06PM DNF Mike WA9FTS
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - March, 2021 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Tony AA9CC
Eight hunt teams arrived to findTony. Charlie KB9DIM showed up to say hi before the hunt. We were released a little after PM with hunters selecting south and west. Many of the hunters experience questionable readings but eventually settled around Boughton and Weber Rds. Tony was around the Maple Park Place Shopping Mall. A large water tower was NW and caused more problems. I got there but left and returned several times as the hunters found Tony near the water tower next to a wire fence in plain site although the area was dark. Since I did not stay afterwards, I got hunt results from several of the hunters. Results: 1. Marty N9LTE, Bill 2. John WD9EWX, Janet 3. Matt KC9SEM, Jacob 4. Pete K9PW 5. David AC9VW, Tom N9CBA 6. Mike WA9FTS 7. Kevin N9JPG, Sheryl KD9ZLS, Mason KD9IZB 8. Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 6th, 2021 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Matt KC9SEM & crew Another snow in a very snowy winter before the hunt. It quit as the hunt started at 8:09PM. I joined Matt and crew as they found a parking spot on the 4th level of the BMO Chase parking lot. This was at I-88 and Freedom Dr. Four hunters were on the chase. Would this be a difficult place for them to find? At about 8:40 we saw Tony talking to a woman in the distance. Five minutes later he arrived for the win. This is his route that he sent to me. “Route was 83 to Butterfield to Naperville Rd to Warrenville Rd to parking lot, up the stairs.” Tony said she claimed to be a security guard and was screaming for everyone to leave. Matt and Jacob joined Tony as she started to scream at them. Matt then decided to move to a street-level location for rest of the hunt.We found a lot to the west to find David was already there. He finished 2nd. Shortly John and Janet arrived with Tom ending the hunt 5 min later. Since it was 6F, we all decided to go home for the evening. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC - 8:45PM 2. David AC9VW - 9:00PM 3. John WD9EWX, Janet - 9:05PM 4. Tom N9CBA - 9:10PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 2nd, 2021 by Tony AA9CC
I strapped the poles on loaded battery, antenna, radio, and coax up in the back pack and hiked a mile from home. I hid behind the coach residence outside Katherine's house, now abandoned. Kathrine was the wife of a tug caption who suspiciously disappeared. Local legend says his body us inside the basement walls of the old stone mansion. It’s now owned by a Hindu sect who was going to use it as a retreat, but has since built the temple site at Bluff and Lemont roads. I looked into buying the property in 2005, but with 13 acres it was out of my price range. Vandals now have destroyed the interior. It was hovering around freezing, a light drizzle, overcast with 2 inches of wet snow that had fallen over the previous days. I had a little trouble setting up the 35 foot mast, it fell over once. I did not have a good signal at the start, surprising, considering the height. The signal possibly couldn't penetrate through the forest of large soaking wet oak trees, scattering as evident when the hunters, entering from the north, headed to the trees in the beam path and not toward the null of the broadside antenna. No one saw the bulls eye on the for sale sign at Katherine's crossing. John was the only one to walk that way in. I thank John and Janet for giving me and equipment a ride home. I had no munch spot picked.
Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 2. Marty N9LTE 3. Pete K9PW 4. John WD9EXW, Janet DNF Tom N9CBA, John K9JK
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 5th, 2020 by John WD9EXW
Picked a direction, drove up and found 2 or 3 decent spots. Finally settling on this one, and dug in just off the bike trail.
Valley Lake Drive, just east of Roselle rd.
42.055477133700684, -88.08566834949474
I am not sure of anyone's route.
#1 Tony AA9CC 8:33 #2 Pete K9PW 8:40 #3 Dave AC9VW 8:43 #4 Tom N9CBA 8:46 #5 Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac8:55 #6 Mike WA9FTS 9:00 #7 Marty N9LTE 9:05
Munched at Portillo on Golf Rd
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 7th, 2020 by Mike WA9FTS Tony AA9CC contacted me early in the week to have me hid for him as he was going to be out of town. I agreed and proceeded to find a hiding spot. Since the weather was going to stay great through the weekend, I found a place in Southland Park in Lombard. The park was located off Roosevelt Rd and was of Main St. I parked in the park’s lot and hid at the baseball cage on the pst base side. We had 8 hunt teams and the hunt started at 8:05PM. First to arrive was John who got out of his van on Steward west of me. He ran up and over the hill to my Jeep. I was not there. He then turned and ran up to me for the win. Four minutes later Matt’s team drove in and went to the Jeep and then to me for 2nd. Since I forgot my camera at home, Matt took a pix of me in my hiding spot. Thanks, Matt. A shoe time later Marty and Bill and Tom drove in to inspect the Jeep. Bill came up to me for 3rd and Tom arriving seconds later. Ten minutes later Pete and David drove in the go directly to the Jeep. David ran along the water’s edge and then up the hill that John was at earlier. Pete came over to me for 5th and David came soon the hill to find me for 6th. John JK and Don gave up around 20 minutes later to end the hunt. We met at Culver’s a few blocks away for food. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:18PM 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:22PM 3. Bill, Marty N9LTE - 8:31PM 4. Tom N9CBA - 8:31PM 5. Pete K9PW - 8:43PM 6. David AC9VW - 8:44PM DNF John K9JK Don W9RA - 9:03PM
Matt took this oicture
Tom took this picture
Southland Pk hide spot
I hid at the cage on 1st Base side
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 3rd, 2020 by the fox Pete K9PW
With light rain and temperatures in the upper 40's, the weather was not ideal for the hunt. Water has been known to mess up the performance of some yagi designs. This might have contributed to the difficulties some hunters experienced.
The hiding location was a picnic table under the pavilion at Belle Park in Schaumburg. The transmitter was set to 10 Watts to a 5/8th vertical mag-mount on top of the pavilion's metal roof. With 100% of hunters hearing the fox, eight vehicles were released at 8:06AM. After the third transmission, the fox actually saw a real fox walking through the park! Was this a good omen?
The hunt progressed at a fairly typical pace. The fox was located less than 80' from the road, however at least half of the hunters got out of their cars at Meadows Park (which closed at dusk) to walk 1000' in the rain to find the fox. Tony snuck up on the fox to be first. John & Janet drove by 5 minutes later for second place. After another five minutes, Marty spotted the fox's empty car parked 100 yards away. After a few minutes, he located the fox & claimed 3rd place without stepping out of his truck! The remaining hunters trickled in not much later.
The rain did not prevent some from using the playgrounds. Many of the hunters went to the nearby Portillo's drive-thru & returned to the pavilion hiding spot to eat & chat while staying dry. The groups left for their homes just before 11pm (the park's official closing time).
1. Tony AA9CC 8:41 2. John WD9EXW, Janet 8:46 3. Marty N9LTE, Bill 8:53 4. Mike WA9FTS 8:57 5. Don W9RA 8:57 6. Matt KC9SEM, Patty, N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 9:03 7. Tom N9CBA 9:08 AC9VW DNF
Fox location: N42.02239 W88.15351 13.3 miles from the start.
Pete tool this before the hunt.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sep 5th, 2020 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox David AC9VW David wanted his first hide to be a challenging one. He was successful. He placed his 3 el yagi horizontal and facing SW away from the starting point. The hunters (9) headed off with a very poor signal strength. I followed Matt as I did not have any signal till later. The hunters finally gathered around St Charles on the east side of the Fox River and Stone Rd in an industrial area. Pete found David for the win with Charlie capturing 2nd 5 minutes later. Third thru seven were 7 minutes later. I did not do so well 44 minutes after Marty to end the hunt. Don gave up as we headed for Giordono’s. Results:
1. Pete K9PW - 8:52PM 2. Charlie KB9DIM - 8:57PM 3. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:58PM 4. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:59PM 5. John K9JK - 9:00PM 6. Tom N9CBA - 9:02PM 7. Marty N9PLS - 9:03PM 8. Mike WA9FTS - 9:47PM DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 1st, 2020 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Tony AA9CC There were 7 hunt teams off and driving to the SE. Most of the hunters took Rt 83 south. Others took North Av east to 290 and south. The hunters eventually got to Willow Springs Rd north of Archer Av. There was the DesPlaines River and the Chicago Sanitary Canal. Several of the hunters, me included, traveled to the south end of the overpass and then back. There were so many places for Tony to hide. Eventually the hunters, one at a time, took the path under the overpass north of the DesPlaines River to find Tony in the woods near the water. Dave got there for his 1st win with Marty arriving for 2nd. Later Matt’s team arrived for 3rd. I was finally heading in the right direction as hunters past me. I was 4th with John getting there for 5th. Don gave up with Tom trying his best only to give up also. Tony was running 25w to a 3 el tape beam. We finally decided on the Patio a few miles away on Rt 83. Results: 1. David AC9VW 2. Marty N9LTE 3. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 4. Mike WA9FTS 5. John WD9EXW, Janet DNF Don W9RA Tom N9CBA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - July 4th, 2020 - by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Tom N9CBA Another beautiful but warm day for a hunt. We had 6 hunt teams to start out with Tom giving us a signal to the SW. A number of hunters took 83 south and picked roads to the SW. I did not and got lost for a while. A number of hunters chose several of the interstates and got caught up in traffic getting off. It was a close race between Tony and Matt with Tony finishing 2 min ahead of Matt. Tom hid near Clow Airport off Weber Rd in Bollingbrook. I finally got in the area and saw Tom’s car and then Tony and Matt’s vehicle. It was surprised to find out I was 3rd. We set up chairs nearby as there were several restaurants nearby. Lou Malnotti’s was the favorite. Don drove in a was 4th. John, Janet and David gave up. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC - 8:44PM 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:46PM 3. Mike WA9FTS - 9:00PM 4. Don W9RA
DNF John WD9XW, Janet and David AC9VW
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - June 6th, 2020 - by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Matt KC9SEM and family It was a perfect evening for a hunt. It was almost cloudless and in the upper 60s. We had 6 hunt teams and Matt got the hunters off with a strong signal to the WSW. I took North Av with other hunters - Tom, John and David. I knew I had a problem with a replacement 3 el beam. I could only hunt on audio quality and no signal strength. Other hunters were tested as Matt found a spot in Batavia east of 31 but west of the Fox River. Tom was first in for the win with John and Janet capturing 2nd. Don tried both sides of the Fox River and found Matt for 3rd. Pete was the last one to score with David and me giving up. We stopped at a local Portillo’s for food but set up our rest area at the Denny’s next door. Tom helped me find out the antenna problem with his antenna analyzer. My 3 el was totally deaf - a SWR of about 11:1. Matt was running about 200w. Back to the 4 el. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA 2. John WD9EXW, Janet 3. Don W9RA 4. Pete K9PW DNF David AC9VE, Mike WA9FTS
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May 2nd, 2020 - by Mike WA9FTS
I decided to join Tom N9CBA in hiding but at a safe distance. Tom found a place in N Riverside. It was north of 26th St off Veteran Dr. Tom hid his car next to a large dumpster. I sat next to the dumpster and Tom got the 5 hunt teams off at 8:04PM. Three of the teams heard Tom with some going up to North Ave. Tom guessed the first place team would arrive around 8:52 and I guessed 8:40-45. At about 8:30 Matt’s team drove by and on the next transmission they scored at 8:34. Their rout was North e to 294 s to 290 e to Mannheim s to Roosevelt e to Harlem s to 26th and in for the win. Seventeen minutes later Charlie KB9DIM arrived for 2nd. Eight minutes later Pete arrive. John WD9EXW earlier gave up. At 9:05, hunting with only a mobile DF unit, David AC9VW also quit. The three hunt teams that finished stayed around and chatted for a while. Tom ran 5w to a 1/4 wave vertical on his car’s roof. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:34PM 2. Charlie KB9DIM - 8:51PM 3. Pete K9PW - 8:59PM DNF John WD9EXW, Janet and David AC9VW
Pete took the first two pix and Matt took the 5th pix.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - April 4th - Info from Tom N9CBA, Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Kevin N9JPG and John WD9EXW
Tom provided the results of the hunters 1. Tom N9CBA 2. Tony AA9CC 3. Kevin N9JPG, Sheryl KC9ZLS, Mason KD9IZB, Sonya 4. John WD9EXW, Janet
John EXW - we started on time
4 cars - me, tony, tom + kevin
I think Tom was first, then Tony, Kevin and me. I was about 8:50. Kevin was perhaps 1-2 min before me.
Matt was in Win Cup parking lot at 1250 Carolina Dr, West Chicago
Matt was using a 5/8 vertical running 160w.
Tom and Matt said the hunters took North Ave west.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - March 7th by Mike WA9FTS
Marty N9LTE and Bill were the fox and got the 5 hunt teams off shortly after 8PM with a good signal. Tony and Matt’s team headed up 83 and on 290 east. Matt had a hunch that Marty was close and picked North Ave to go east. We went north on Wolf Rd to Grand Ave and west. What side of 294 were they hiding? Matt chose the west side and we went south to Roman Rd (Mc Master-Carr Loop on older maps) and McMaster Carr. We tried a dead end on the NW corner of the parking lot - not there! Then Patty spotted a lone car in the parking lot. As we approached she spotted a tape measure beam. We drove up for the win. Seeing nobody else, we drove out and away. Five minutes later, Tom and David arrived for 2nd. It was 15 min later that Don secured 3rd. We went to Portillo’s on North and Railroad Av. Tom and David beat us there and Don was a few minutes after us to arrive. A half hour later we wondered why nobody else appeared. We found out that the three hunt teams read the paper from Marty wrong. We picked the closest Portillo’s from the hiding spot but Marty chose the one west of Addison Rd. John and Janet finished 4th and went home. Tony, unexpectedly, finished last and also went home. Later Marty and Bill joined us. At Portillo’s Marty showed us the HT he used running 100mw to his 3 el tape beam. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac - 8:25PM 2. Tom N9CBA, David AC9VW - 8:29PM 3. Don W9RA - 8:44PM 4. John WD9EXW, Janet - 9:02PM 5. Tony AA9CC - 9:15PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 1st, 2020 by Mike WA9FTS We had 6 hunt teams and the weather was cooperating with the lower 50s for Sunday. John WD9EXW got us off shortly after 8 with a good signal to the north and slightly west. Most of the hunters took 83 north. Marty and Kevin took Higgins and Matt’s team went to Algonquin. We got tied up north but finally headed south to Oakton St. We spotted John and Janet’s van with Janet only inside. I got out as Matt headed west to the end of the building. I walked in the same direction to find John against the building under a camp blanket - 2nd! Matt arrived and we thought Marty was #1 which later proved to be true. Don arrived on foot to find John for 3rd. Pete and John drove up with Tom and David right behind them. They both drove past John and back. Pete beat Tom for 4th. We found out the restaurant was Sweet Baby Ray’s on Higgins half mile north of where John was hiding. Since it closes at 10PM, we headed there to secure a table. Kevin and crew ended the hunt and we all met a little after 9PM. Results:
1. Marty N9LTE, Bill - 8:21PM 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac - 8:33PM 3. Don W9RA - 8:36PM 4. Pete K9PW, John K9JK - 8:45PM 5. Tom N9CBA, David AC9VW - 8:45PM 6. Kevin N9JPG, Sheryl KC9ZLS, Mason KD9IZB
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 4th, 2020 by Mike WA9FTS Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac and I found a parking lot of the Bartlett Public Library at Stearns and Bartlett Rd. We parked behind several bushes. Five hunt teams were ready to find us as all heard us clearly at the start. The hunters were released at 8:02PM. We agreed that a great performance would take at least 30 min. This was proven as John and Janet arrived to find us at 8:34 - 32 min! Four min later Tony drove up for 2nd. Seven min later both Pete/John and Don arrived. John got out at the north end of the parking lot and ran south to us as Don arrived seconds later for 4th. Tom and David also drove to the north end and David got out. Tom realized we were back to the south and drove back to end the hunt. A couple of min later, David walked up to us. We went to Pietanza’s at Army Trail and 59. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:34 2. Tony AA9CC - 8:38 3. John K9JK, Pete K9PW - 8:45 4. Don W9RA - 8:45 5. Tom N9CBA, David AC9VW - 8:47
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sep 1st, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS Fox: Matt KC9SEM, Patty, N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac
We headed out to Batavia with a 2m amp, poles, J-Pole antenna to find a tricky spot for the hunters to find us. That place was north of the West Batavia Cemetery and west of the Fox River. The only way in to us was a road off Rt 31. We were in a parking lot past a sand pool that was emptied for the end of the summer. We set up the J-Pole up about 20ft. All three hunt teams heard us with a direction to the SW. Three teams were released at 8:03PM. At 8:45 Tom arrived for the win. Tom took Rt 88 to 31 and in to find us - great route! We told him that Pal Joey’s at Main and Randall Rd was the meeting spot after the hunt. At 8:53, we spotted John on foot heading to us to claim 2nd. After an hour, we announced the restaurant. At 9:17 Pete and John drove up to end the hunt. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA - 8:54PM 2. John WD9EXW - 8:54PM 3. Pete K9PW, John K9JK - 9:17PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 2nd, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Don W9RA
Don W9RA was hiding for Pete K9PW & John K9JK. Don’s signal was weak but hearable for the three hunt teams. Matt and I guessed that Don was hiding near the Schaumburg Airport and would pick Pilot Pete’s for the munch. We headed NW on 290 and then Lake St. Me met up with John & Janet several times as our original thought was correct. Don was near the airport but where? We got ambiguous readings but them settled on Gary and Central Rd. This lead us to Fuji Film to find Don in his car for the win. Several minutes later, Tom arrived for 2nd and another few minutes brought John and Janet to end the hunt. We went to Pilot Pete’s for the munch. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty, N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac 2. Tom N9CBA 3. John WD9EXW, Janet
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - July 7th, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Tony AA9CC
Five hunt teams awaited the test transmission from Tony. It was weak but to the south - slightly to the west. Tony’s actual direction was SW but the water tower directly to the south has in the past caused accuracy problems at the starting point. Everyone headed south on Rt 83. It soon was evident that Tony was to the SW. Several hunters chose I55 with John EXW taking Woodward Av north. Matt and Pete got off at Joliet Rd and to International Pkwy. We got almost a 5 and got out on foot in a field with evidence of car tracks in the weeds. We ended up at a 55/355 ramp and had to get back to the Ford 250 - on to the other side. Pete had a stronger signal east of 355 and determined that was the place to be and it proved to be correct. They went from Int’l Pkwy to Werch Dr to the AMC theater. Pete spotted the 5/8 vertical on a car. Tony was in one of his cars in front of the AMC theater. Pete beat Tom who was a few hundred feet away for the win as Don arrived for 3rd a few minutes later. We got there as John EXW and Janet drove around to find Tony. We finally found Tony to end the hunt. We met at Al’s Pizza on 87th St in Woodbridge. Results: 1. Pete K9PW, John K9JK 2. Tom N9CBA 3. Don W9RA 4. John WD9EXW, Janet 5. Matt KC9SEM, Patty, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - June 2nd, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Tom N9CBA
The rain came early with light drizzle. Tom N9CBA had some problems with his antennas as one collapsed and another did not allow us to hear him. Finally he tried a 5/8 wave vertical that worked. He was running 80W. The signal was still very weak as 5 hunt teams took of to the NW. A number of hunters took 290 to 390 to 31 north. Pete and John took Irving Pk west. Most of the hunters had to get half way to Tom before they had a decent signal to work with. It later became clear that Tom was east of the Fox River and near Algonquin Rd. Tom was finally found across from the Huntington Bank and behind the U Save Flooring America by Tony For the win. Matt got out on foot about a half mile away to get 2nd. Pete and John drove up for third with John and Janet getting 4th. Don wanted to know the munch spot but the Chinese restaurant picked by Tom closed at 10PM. After much discussion, the local IHOP was picked. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May 5th, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS & Mike WA9FTS
Spring finally was here as the temp was in the 70s. No wind a a very blue sky - perfect!. Matt and Patty picked the home of Matt’s cousin in Bartlett. We set up the radio on the back patio running about 160w to a J-Pole secured to a nearby tree up about 15 ft. The homeowners, Bill and cousin Chris joined us on the patio. With 4 hunt teams, the hunt started at 8:06PM. Jacob and Mac played with Bill & Chris’ two kids in the back yard during the hunt with glow sticks when it got dark. First to arrive by spotting the bullseye was Tom who came around for the win. He took Thorndale to 390 to Lake and west past 59 to Naperville Rd and back to 59 and onto Bayside Dr - good move! It was quite a while since the last hunt but Kevin had his kids help get in the area and find us about 6 minutes later for 2nd. Pete, recovering from his gall bladder ordeal, and John K9JK had some problems in the area and it took about 30 min after Kevin to capture 3rd. John WD9EXW and Janet ended the hunt several minutes later. Salad and pizza was served to the tired hunters. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA - 8:53 PM 2. Kevin N9JPG, Mason, Sonya, Abbey KD9BLP, Faith - 8:59PM 3. Pete K9PW, John K9JK 4. John WD9EXW, Janet
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Apr 7th, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS
Don W9RA gave the 4 hunt teams a good signal to the NW of the starting point. Most of the hunters headed north on 83. Matt’s team then selected 290 to Lake St.to Bartels to Central and then on Turnberry. Matt spotted Don’s truck on a parking lot and we were off on foot. Wrong direction as we headed across Turnberry with Matt seeing the antenna. I saw the back of Don’s head as Matt went in for the win. A few minutes later Janet drove by and then John arrived on foot from the north for 2nd. Shortly Pete and John arrived as we left for Pilot Pete’s at the Schaumburg airport. Tom found Don a few minutes after Pete to end the hunt. Don was running 2w with his HT to a Ringo up 15 ft in a tree. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac 2. John WD9EXW, Janet 3. Pete K9PW, John K9JK 4. Tom N9CBA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Mar 3rd, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS
Tony AA9CC got the 4 hunt teams off with a strong signal to the south - slightly east. All the hunters took 83 and went east on 22nd St. Don, Tom and John stayed close to 22nd as Matt’s team tried Enterprise Dr. Reflections in the area gave us problems as we went back to 22nd St to see Tom and Don driving around. Shortly I got out and ran east just south of 22nd St. I was joined by Matt and Jacob as we went past the Salt Creek to find Tony next to a tree on the north side of the golf course for 2nd. Don was there on foot for the win. Ten seconds after we found Tony, John arrived for 3rd. As we left, we saw Tom drive by. He later found Tony to end the hunt. Tony was running 5w to a tape measure beam. We gathered at Jason’s Deli. Results:
1. Don W9RA 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac 3. John WD9EXW, Janet 4. Tom N9CBA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 3rd, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS
In spite of snow warnings, 6 hunt teams showed up to find John WD9EXW and Janet. John started the hunters at 8:10PM with a strong signal to the SW. It started to finally snow. All the hunters too 83 south with Matt taking Roosevelt Rd , Marty Butterfield Rd and Tony taking 83 to 88 to 53 and east on Warrenville Rd. Tony won when he found John and Janet in their Caravan next to the Extended Stay American Hotel off Warrenville Rd. Marty and Janelle arrive 4 min later for 2nd. It was a close one for third as Don drove in ahead of Matt by seconds. Twelve minutes later Tom secured 5th and Pete and John ended the hunt 10 minutes later. We met at the Culver’s nearby. The snow quit before we left Culver’s with a couple of inches on the ground. Results: 1 Tony AA9CC - 8:32PM 2. Marty N9LTE, Janelle - 8:36PM 3. Don W9RA - 8:48PM 4. Matt KC9SEM, Patty, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac - 8:48PM 5. Tom N9CBA - 9:00PM 6. Pete K9PW, K9JK - 9:10PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 6th, 2018 by Mike WA9FTS
The first hunt of the year brought us a small increase in temp - the low teens and no snow. Four hunt teams awaited Charlie’s test transmission and it was a good one to the SW. The hunters took 83 south with Tom going past Odgen and John and Pete’s team taking Ogden west. Pete overshot 355 and headed north to Warrenville Rd and then back south. John’s team was in the right spot and took Walnut south to a small park and then left toward Burlington Av. John got out to head north into the woods as Jane and I went back to Walnut Park. I got out and headed into the woods and out to Drendel Rd. Tom passed me by and then, in the opposite direction, Pete and John stopped to offer me a ride. I declined and headed north into the woods again thinking I would not make it through. Finally an opening appeared and I saw Charlie’s Jeep. I was very surprised to get 1st place card. I got in to the Jeep to get warm and 5 minutes later, Pete and John arrive for 2nd. Another 5 minutes later Tom secured 3rd. Don found out he would be last and asked for the location of the restaurant. Charlie said it would be Emmett’s in Downers Grove. I forgot to take a picture of Charlie in his car. Results:
1. John WD9EXW, Janaet, Mike WA9FTS
2. Pete K9PW, John K9JK
3. Tom N9CBA
DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 2nd, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
We had 4 hunt teams ready as John WD9EXW gave us a strong signal to start to the NE. Three teams went north on 83 as Matt took North Av to 294 to Balmoral and River Rd. This was the most direct route of any hunt team. Charlie, who came out the first time this year, took 83 north to Irving Pk Rd to East River Rd to Higgins. Even though we were close, we found a massive amount of traffic in downtown Rosemont with conventions and furry-covered critters (Midwest Furfest) from the various shows going on. It was also Christmas time which made it even more difficult to get around. We got a song signal to the east which was a dead end. Other signals made no sense. Meanwhile, Charlie headed south off Higgins Rd on River Rd and found John and Janet behind a large building off Evenhouse Av for the win. Five min later Don arrived for 2nd. Tom was another 5 min for third. We gave up getting no sensible reading in downtown Rosemont. John was running 15w to a 1/4 wave on the Caravan. Giordano’s nearby was not a good choice as there was no parking available and the waiting time was an hour and a half. A better choice was Barnaby’s on Touhy. Results
1. Charlie KB9DIM - 8:44PM
2. Don W9RA
3. Tom N9CBA
DNF Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 4th, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
We are reminded that winter is on it way as the day was cold and rainy and overcast. There were 4 hunt teams eager to find us. Matt KC9SEM found an old and abandoned parking lot once used by Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The Google pix shows cars there. It was located off Taft Av south of Roosevelt Rd and east of Lambert Rd. We were in the NE corner with bushes to the north and east making it impossible to see us from Taft. The hunters had a strong (2) signal to the SW. John & Janet took 83 straight south to Roosevelt. Tom went up to North and south on 355 to Roosevelt. Both were good routes. At 8:22 John and Janet pulled in to the parking lot. John got out and started to run toward us. Just then Tom arrive and drove right to us. It was too late as John beat him by about 30 seconds for the win. Twelve minutes later Pete & John arrive for 3rd. Shortly Don drove by and disappeared. He came back and into the parking lot to find us to end the hunt. We went to Giordano’s on Roosevelt for the munch. Results:
1. John WD9EXW, Janet - 8:23PM
2. Tom N9CBA - 8:23PM
3. Pete K9PW, John K9JK - 8:35PM
4. Don W9RA - 8:48PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 7th, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
The weather man said the rain would stop around 7PM. We must have been under a local rain cloud cause it was raining as the hunt was starting. There were 4 hunt vehicles to hear Tom’s N9CBA test transmission. It was not a strong signal but we knew we had to head straight north. A short while the rain stopped. Matt’s team headed north on 83 with Marty right behind us. We went north of I90 to find out we had to turn around. Patty got a 10 o’clock reading and I recommended Higgins Rd. Marty kept going but later also turned around. John and Janet also took 83 north and SE on Higgins - good move. We drove past John and Janet who were waiting for a transmission. Patty noticed a dirt road off Higgins going to the east. On the next transmission, Tom was down the dirt road. John turned in ahead of us and stopped short of a large hill.. We drove in west of John’s van by about 200 ft and Matt spotted Tom’s car. Matt and I were out and running to get to Tom for the win. John arrive quickly for 2nd. We stayed for about 5 minutes and then left for nearby Barnaby’s on Higgins Rd. Shortly Marty arrived at Barnaby’s followed by Don and then Tom. Tom was running about 30 watts to vertical on the roof of his car. We found out that Don took 290 north to Euclid and back to end the hunt. He made good time as he also finished under an hour. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac 2. John WD9EXW, Janet
3. Marty N9LTE
4. Don W9RA
Before the rain - 2 Rainbows
Tom - Red / Matt - Orange / John - Yellow
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sep 2nd, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
John WD9EXW and Janet were the fox.It rained heavily before the hunt while I was at Matt and Patty’s and then later just before the hunt. You can see Tom in his rain gear working on his antenna before the hunt. John had a weak signal and had to change antenna and location due to the rain. When the hunt started, the rain quit and we had a mostly dry hunt. Several hunters took North Av west and others, including Matt and Pete took 290 to Lake St and south on Powis to the DuPage Co airport. The problem was to find the street and dead end that John chose. It took a while although Tom made the right pick early for the win. John and Janet were in a parking lot off the intersection of Howard and Arthur. A truck was partially blocking the entrance to the parking lot. As we entered, Pete and John were arriving for 2nd. We got 3rd. Shortly Don arrive and Marty ended the hunt at 9:20. John was running 70w to a tape measure beam. We went to Giordano’s nearby. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA - 8:49PM 2. Pete K9PW, John K9JK - 9:10PM 3. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac - 9:10PM 4. Don W9RA - 9:14PM 5. Marty N9LTE - 9:20PM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 5th, 2017 by John K9JK
I had parked my car at: 42.106982, -88.00993; near a walk-in entrance to the park area from the neighborhood just to the north . I had a fairly short walk (about 1/10 of a mile, maybe a little more) to the den with radio, antenna and an amazing battery that I'd borrowed from PW. Too bad Jacob and Mac couldn't make it as the spot I had picked had a play area (as Jacob had requested) not too far away, about 100 feet to the SW.
1. Tom N9CBA - 8:42PM 2. Don W9RA - 9:09PM DNF - Matt KC9SEM, John WD9EXW, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac
Comments from Mike WA9FTS - Due to a death in the Williams/Sanderson family during the hunt, Matt’s team turned around to get the family together at this important time. Only three pictures were taken at the starting point.
Tom N9CBA, was first at about 8:42PM. Don W9RA, came in second at about 9:09PM. Both parked in the parking area near 42.104918, -88.01072 and walked around the NE corner of that lake to find my “Den”. "Den" coordinates were: 42.106346, -88.01122; a bench in the park area.
After the munch was at Baker's Square, 270 E. Northwest Hwy, Palatine. In a rare occurrence, the fox got to the munch before the hunters. No pictures were taken. Results:
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - July 1st, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
Tom N9CBA was the fox as he switched his with Marty on last month’s 34 hunt. Tom’s signal was weak but imposed and 4 hunt teams were off the NW. Seeking the destroy the bad luck with John, they took 290 to 390 to Irving Pk Rd and up Barrington Rd to a dead end road by a shopping center with a theater. Tom hid down a dark path which had a small building. He was in his car off to the side. Pete and John secured the win with John arriving 7 minutes after. Matt’s team did not fair so well taking Lake St to Barrington Rd. Several bad signals led us around until we tried the road NW of I90 and Barrington Rd. Don was already in the parking lot as we got out and ran sown the path for 3rd. Don arrive a minute later to end the hunt. Tom was running 30 w to a 3 el yagi up 16 ft. We went to Jersey Pizza which turned out to be a good choice. Results: 1. Pete K9PW, John K9JK-8:43 2. John WD9EXW, Janet-8:50 3. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac-9:08 4. Don W9RA-9:11
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - June 3rd, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
We had three hunt teams to start the hunt with Tom N9CBA giving us a strong signal to the SSE. John took St Charles Rd to 290 and off at 17th St. We drove around and then finally got to 25th St to see a new bridge that was built over the RR tracks. What side of the bridge was Tom hiding on? We parked in a truck lot on the west side. I got out to find a way but had to travel to the east side and back west on Main St to find Tom parked next to a building in his car. I found out the Marty made it over a tall fence for the win and John did the same for 2nd. I was the only one to find Tom and not climb the fence. I stuck with Tom in his car and shortly Pete stuck his head over the fence and we drove over to him to end the hunt. Tom was running 35w to a vertical on his car. We picked the Olive Garden on North St but there was a 30 min wait. We went over to Baker’s Square and were seated right away. The food was good - especially the pie. Pete bought a French Silk and ate a fourth of it and John K9JK took one home. Results: 1. Marty N9LTE, Bill 2. John WD9EXW, Mike WA9FTS, Janet 3. Pete K9PW, John K9JK
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May 6th, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS Fox -Marty N9LTE
Marty had a weak signal to start the hunt. He gave a SW heading to the 5 hunt teams and we were off. Several of the hunters took 83 south and Matt took North to 355 south to 75 and down to Ogden. Tom got off 83 to 88 west and got in the area around a condo complex and walked in to find Marty’s gang under the Ogden overpass on a bike path for the win. John got out on foot off Hill Ave into the woods to the hiding spot for 2nd. Matt’s team parked in a condo area SE and off on the bike path for 3rd. Shortly Pete and John made it in for 4th with Don asking for the munch spot to end the hunt. We met at Buono Beef. Marty was running 50w to a tape measure beam at a 45 degree angle. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA 2. John WD9EXW, Janet 3. Matt KC9SEM, Mike WA9FTS, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 4. Pete K9PW, John K9JK DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - April 1st, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - John WD9EXW
Four hunt teams were at the starting point with Don W9RA hunting unofficially since he forgot his mobile antenna and went back to his house. He started NE of O’Hare as the 4 headed out north. Tom and I took 290 NW and then north to Touhy. We got a strong signal indicating John was hiding somewhere on Old Higgins Rd. We were expecting lots of hunters to greet us as we got to the end of the road. We were the only ones! Tom and I took off into the woods next to a fence in which old carsd were on top of one another and a RR tracks next to the airport boundary. I ran past some cement slabs and thought it would be a good spot for John to hid. Tom was right behind me checking out the brush. I realized I went to far and came back to see Marty find John under the cement slabs with Tom grabbing 2nd - only a few seconds behind. Shortly Patty arrived with Pete scoring. Then Matt showed up with Jacob and Mac. A few minutes later Don asked where the restaurant was and the hunt was over. We went to Lou Malnati's on Higgins Rd. Results: 1. Marty N9LTE, Bill 2. Tom N9CBA, Mike WA9FTS 3. Patty N9PLS, Matt KC9SEM, Jacob, Mac 4. Pete K9PW, John K9JK Unoff DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - March 4th, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac
Matt suggested we try the Elgin area and see what we could find for a challenging spot. We looked at several areas around the intersection of Rt 31 and I-90. We found several good spots but settled on t eh area NW of the intersection. We got there off Rt 31 to Tollgate Rd and a driveway south and west to find a parking area next to a business. Early investigation of the restaurants in the area indicated Bennigan’s would be the best choice as they were open until 1 AM. We backed in and put up a portable 3 el beam up around 17 ft. It was held up by small branches and bongie cords to a wooden fence. Matt brought his amps and we were set to give the hunters a strong 170w signal to the starting point. All 4 hunt teams heard us and the hunt was off at 8:03 PM. Using his map app on his phone, Matt figured it would take about 35 min to cover the distance to us for a perfect route. With the possibility of us being on any one of the four corners, I thought it would take at least an hour for 1st place to arrive. Finally we saw headlights in front of us and it was Janet driving in with John. It took him 1 hr 12 min. Marty arrived and was 2nd by only about 30 sec. Don pulled up in hid Dodge Ram truck 21 min later. Tom indicated he was in the area. Since it was now 2 hours into the hunt, we changed antennas to a mag mount and put away the yagi in back of the truck and pulled out to Tollgate Rd. Tom arrived at 10:22 to end the hunt. We went to Bennigan’s to join John, Janet and Marty. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Janet - 9:15:00 2. Marty N9LTE - 9:15:30 3. Don W9RA - 9:36 4. Tom N9CBA - 10:22
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 4th, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
Tony AA9CC had 5 hunt teams ready and he got the hunters off with a weak but hearable signal to the SW. Matt’s team took 83 to 290 to 355 south to 55 to Joliet Rd, Intl Pkwy to Lemont Rd across the canal and back to Canal Bank Rd and back to an opening in the trees with tire tracks and a very narrow path with cement barriers next to the canal. We got out and headed on foot with Tom arriving behind us in his car. There was a flashlight in front of us - who was it? Matt and I found Tony’s jeep with Matt heading one way and I in another. Pete was the one and showed up with his flashlight. I turned around to find Matt and Pete walking toward me as walked past to find Tony well-cameoed on the ground. He was running 35 to his twin antenna he uses on his car. I found out that Matt beat Pete out by seconds. Tom arrived to secure 3rd. Since Don said he was going to the restaurant, Tony thought I was hunting with John and broke down his equipment. John wanted another transmission. Tony found out I was with Matt and Patty and went back to set up. John shortly gave up and we all headed to Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria in Lemont. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Mike WA9FTS, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 2. Pete K9PW, John K9JK 3. Tom N9CBA DNF Don W9RA DNF John WD9EWX, Janet
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 7th, 2017 by Mike WA9FTS
There were 5 hunt teams waiting for Pete’s first hid as the fox. He started the hunters out with a strong signal to the NW. Most of the hunters took 290. Tony who made his first appearance since mid 16, took Roselle north. John’s team took the Elgin-O’Hare to Lake St. We then had to come back to Schaumburg were Pete lives and close to the Fox Run Golf Course. Eventually we found Pete and his friend John K9JK in Pete’s van snug and warm. They were parked off Pratt Blvd west of Roselle Rd and north of the Elgin-O’Hare. There was a short paved road (about 200 ft) west of the Bethel Protestant Reformed Church. Tony got there 15 minutes earlier for the win. Tom Showed up 3 minutes after our surprise 2nd. We left and met Don down the road near Roselle. He made it to Pete and John for 4th. Marty had antenna problems and found out his antenna was loose on his mast giving him a 80 degree error. We met at Pilot Pete’s at the Schaumburg Airport. Results: 1 Tony AA9CC - 8:35 PM 2. John WD9EXW, Mike WA9FTS, Janet - 8:50 PM 3. Tom N9CBA - 8:53 PM 4. Don W9RA - 8:59 PM DNF Marty - Equipment problem
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 3rd, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac
Winter has finally arrived with the temp in the mid 30s and snow tomorrow. Five hunt teams were ready to find us. The hunt started at 8:06 PM. We found a spot off North Av west of the starting point but 4 of the 5 hunters did not have a good signal. We move to a higher spot - then more problems. They could not hear us for more than about 5 sec. The 200w amp plugged into a cigarette plug burned out a fuse. There was no power in several plugs so we took the amp out of the circuit and Matt told the hunters to keep coming in the direction they started. We were parked on the north side of North Av near Craig St with a sign that could have blocked the hunters from seeing us as they passed by. This is what happened as we saw four of the hunters pass us and several came back to pass us again. Tom stopped across the street and drove off. Pete drove in right behind and then back again. He came up to us for his first win with Tom coming back less than a minute later for 2nd. About seven minutes later Marty and Kayle found us for 3rd. Don, who drove past us much earlier, asked about the restaurant. We said it would be Giordano’s on North at Kirk Rd. About 10 minutes later, Janet arrive and parked on the other side of a small truck. Marty went over to ask Janet to walk over to end the hunt. She did and, just then, John arrived. We headed for Giordano’s. Results: 1. Pete K9PW - 8:58 PM 2. Tom N9CBA - 8:59 PM 3. Marty N9LTE, Kayle - 9:05 PM 4. Janet, John WD9EXW - 9:15 PM DNF Don W9RA Hide Coordinates: 41.916310, -88.303444
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 5th, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS
Don W9RA started the 4 hunt teams off with a good signal to the NW. Could it be Pilot Pete’s? Kevin’s team split up as two teams with Kevin and Mason in one vehicle and Sheryl in a second driving and Abbey turning the beam. The youngest participant, Grayson (14 mo) was along for the ride. Matt, with readings from Patty, took off north on 83 to 290 and then west on 390. Matt mentioned Gary Av but we went to Lake St and back to Gary and south and west past a Meier gas station. We spotted Don’s truck and parked. We had company! The KC9ZLS team had followed us from the start and were getting out. The hunters tool off down Thorn Rd. Running also down the road, I had a slightly left direction but considered it a bad reading. Matt headed west across Thorn and into the woods to find a chair and wondered why it was there. He turned around to find Don for the win. Sheryl’s group arrived quickly for 2nd as I was just to the south and spotted 3 large tv set that were dumped in the woods. I found Don also with Matt coming back with Mac to get a picture with Don. A few minuted later Janet arrived with John who secured 3rd. Finally Kevin and Mason arrive to end the hunt. We headed over to Pilot Pete’s. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac 2. Abbey KD9BLP, Sheryl KC9ZLS, Sonja, Becky, Sandy, Grayson 3. John WD9EXW, Janet 4. Kevin N9JPG, Mason
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 1st, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS
John WD9EXW, Janet, Carol and I headed off to a spot in Lombard. It was a dirt road accessible from Butterfield Rd to Grey Rd. This was between 53 and 355 near a golf course to the west. We parked on the edge of the paved part and John and I head down the dirt path to find a spot we could back into and hide. We found such a spot near the Edison power plant. We used a mag mount antenna on top of the JNYBGD van. With two hunters we started the hunt at 8:02PM. At 8:40 Don arrive on foot for the win. He came from the school nearby. At 8:54 Tom drove by at high speed and disappeared. Six minutes later he came back slower and found us to end the hunt. We all met at Fuddruckers on Finley Road just south of Butterfield. Results: 1. Don W9RA 2. Tom N9CBA
John & I looking for a good spot.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sep 3rd, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS
Before the hunt, there was no indication it would be one of the strangest and memorable hunt. Matt KC9SEM and Jacob would hide with Patty N9PLS and Mac close by. We had five hunt teams to start the hunt. Matt’s test signals were weak and not heard by hunters in spite of trying to increase the signal. We started with two hunters hearing and 3 not sure. All the hunters headed north and west except Pete who took North Av west. John, Janet & I, along with the other three took I290 to the Elgin-O’Hare on to Lake St and south on 39. Marty took I290 and on to I355 south to Army Trail and south on County Farm Rd. Pete took North (held up by police checking on drunk drivers) to 59 to 56 and past Eola Rd and to the local hHigh school and then zeroed in on the construction area but on the other side of a large and steep hill. We came off Diehl Rd past bulldozers and to the end of a paved road. Surprise awaited us as Tony came up to our minivan and told us he was hunting unofficially and his car was off the road and stuck in the mud. John and I got out of the car to find Matt. John went one way and I headed to some large equipment with shovels with Tony who did not have ground gear. I ran past a shovel and back to find Matt and Jacob in the front end amazingly for the win. Two minutes later John arrived and then we waited for other hunters to arrive. We spotted a flashlight on top of the hill and then behind us at ground level. It was Pete who did not want to climb down the steep hilt night. He was 2nd. Shortly a car arrived and it was Marty. He took off on foot to make it for 3rd. We discussed the problem with Tony’s car and Marty remembered he had a chain in his car which was able to pull Tony’s car out to the street. Don asked where the munch spot was. After some discussion, it was decided that , since it was getting late, Baker’s Square would be the choice. Shortly Tom drove up and, with ground gear, walked past Matt up the hill. He soon found out that he needed to go back to were he was and this ended the hunt. Matt was running 75W to a vertical on top of the shove’s roof. It did not provide a good ground plane resulting in a poor signal getting out. All the hunters had another problem getting out to Diehl Rd so we followed Matt. Success! Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Mike WA9FTS, Janet Unoff Tony AA9CC 2. Pete K9PW 3. Marty N9LTE 4. Tom N9CBA DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 6th, 2016 by Tom N9CBA and Mike WA9FTS
The weather was great as the 4 hunt teams got a reading to the west and WSW. We all went south and took I88 west. It was soon that we realized that the signal was weak, or not there but WNW of the starting point. John decided to go north and we recovered the signal. Janet said that Armstrong Park would be a good place to hide so we went after it. We found Marty and Matt’s car there. John and I got out and headed into the park. I went to the left and Patty and the kids went to the right. I realized that was the right way to go. As I approached a heavily-wooded area, Patty and the kids were going back from finding Tom. I thrashed my way in with difficulty and found the tape measure antenna and then someone grabbed my hand. It was Tom. Marty showed up seconds later. On the way back, I saw Don who did not want to go in the woods and get bit. Marty got bit a lot but I used Off and did not. Tom challenged us to find a low power transmitter on 146.34 for fun. I found it some distance away and Marty was there also to find it. We later found out that Kevin and his gang were hunting unofficially. We went to Portillo’s at North and Bloomingdale. Results: Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac, Ethan, Lindsay John WD9EWX, Mike WA9FTS, Janet Marty N9LTE DNF Don W9RA Unofficial Kevin N9JPG, Colin KD9AHH, Abbey KD9BLP, Mason, Sonja This is from Tom and his perspective on the hunt. Patty and Matt were very close to me before I realized they were on my side of the creek. Patty spotted me before I saw her. She probably saw my 3-element beam that was vertical and perpendicular to the fence pointing to the starting point. Mike got to me about a second before Marty. Marty came around the fence the long way (from the south) as far as I know, although he was quiet enough that I could not be sure. There was no doubt as to Mike's path, as he was commenting on the vegetation. Radio was in 10 watt setting. Kevin N9JPG, Abbey KD9BLP, Colin KD9AHH, Mason. Sonya started from home at least 20 minutes after the hunt release, and found both the automated transmitter and the fox.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - July 2nd, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS with Carol
This was another great night for a hunt. It was a clear sky with temps in the low 70s. Carol and I headed out to Addison. I got out in a parking lot off Lake St just west of Villa Av and 290. I found a spot in the woods north and east of the Salt Creek. I crossed a bridge and found a tree to prop a J-Pole which was on top of a 5 ft pole. See the "X" in map. I used a Yaesu VX-6 running 0.3W. Don K9VGJ and Jo were conversing with the hunters at the starting point. Only two hunters showed up as the hunt started at 8:05PM. It was a strong signal as the hunters headed north. Don turned around at Foster on Rt 83 and Tom went up to Thorndale before going south and west. At 8:54 I spotted a hunter walk past me on the bike path. At 8:56, Don gave up and at 8:57, Tom went off the path to find me for the win. The hunt was over. Carol came back from SunMist to pick me up. Tom’s sister, Marsha, visiting from CT, joined us. Don and Jo also arrived at the SunMist. 1. Tom N9CBA, Marsha DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - June 4th, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS
Tony suggested that we start further south in the parking lot away from parked cars. Marty showed off his mod to his antenna mount putting the antenna higher up in the air. The fox was John WD9EXW who’s first transmissions were not heard. After several minutes, a weak but hearable signal could be heard and the 5 hunt teams were off. Tony and Tom took off south on Rt 83 with Marty, Don and Matt’s team heading west on North Ave. Tony took St. Charles to 355 south to 88 and west to County Farm Rd north. Marty and Don went past 355 and Matt’s team headed south to Roosevelt Rd and west to County Farm. We spotted the DuPage County facility were Janet (John’s wife) works. We headed up to Jewel and east. John was directly south so we went to a road just east of the DuPage Co Fairgrounds. The Six Meter Club will have their hamfest there on June 19th. Tony was driving ahead of us and went into the county facility parking lot. Matt and I got out on foot and separated. Matt noted that in the past someone hid on the elevated walking path. I took that and Matt stayed on the ground. I travelled the entire elevated path and found that John was close the to path but on the ground. Coming back I met Matt and Patty and they told me they found John for 1st. John was running about 30W to a tape-measure beam up 6 ft in a tree pointed at the start. I headed back with Jacob and Mac to about where John was hiding and Tony arrived to find John for 2nd. Tom was at the north end of Graf Park looking into the woods. Don called in to DNF and shortly Marty called in to quit due to technical problems. His antenna was too hard to turn. He will work on that for the next hunt. Sometime later, Tom arrived to end the hunt. We met at Giordano’s on North at Lambert for munchies. Carol KB9FYL and Kelsey KA9KDC joined us. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Mike WA9FTS, Jacob, Mac - 8:47 PM 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY - 9:01 PM 3. Tom N9CBA - 9:15 PM DNF Don W9RA DNF Marty N9LTE
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May 7th, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Mike WA9FTS, Bill, Jacob
Four hunt teams heard the fox with a strong enough signal to start the hunt at 8:06PM. The weather was great with Friday being perfect and Saturday starting out cold and windy. By hunt time, the temp was comfortable and calm. Earlier Matt, Patty, Jacob, Mac and I headed out to find a hiding spot and a munch spot that was close by and open to at at least 11PM. Bill arrived and we found a wooded area north of Ogden Rd off River Rd near the West Branch DuPage River Trail. We pulled into a parking lot and took our poles, 3 el tape measure beam, radio and fully-charged battery with us. Off a path we found a large tree with plenty of room to sit under and a fallen tree to prop up our antenna. With the antenna up around 15 ft and about 70w of power, we started the hunt. Around 8:38 we saw a flashlight and then it went toward the river and disappeared. At 8:48, John returned quickly for the win. John and Janet took 83 to 88 and off on Winfield Rd to Diehl and on to River - a great route! Later two flashlights appeared, each going to either side of us. Which hunter would make it to us for 2nd? At 8:57, Pete showed up to claim 2nd and 45 sec later Tony found us. It took another 8 min and Don K9VGJ, who has not been seen on a hunt for several decades, came upon us to end the hunt. We went to Braconi’s down the road on Ogden. Tony, who earlier in the day, biked 700 miles (Wow!) was very tired so Joan and he went home to rest up. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Janet 2. Pete K9PW 3. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 4. Don K9VGJ, Tom N9CBA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - April 2, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS - Fox - Tony AA9CC and Joan KC9QQY
Earlier in the day the weather was very strange. Snow was predicted with strong winds throughout the day. The snow started early and, at times was a whiteout and then the sun came out. This happened about 5-6 times with very strong winds and temps below freezing. I called Paul up and advised him not to come out as his only way to me was via bike. Near hunt time unexpectedly the snow stopped and the winds quieted down. Tom N9CBA and Pete K9PW parred up to hunt together and I came out at the last minute to hunt with Matt and Patty. Tony and Joan fooled the hunters by hiding NW of the starting point. Most of the hunters got on 290 but we ended up on 355 south and back on 290 to Lake St. We took it to Garry north and on 390 to Roselle Rd north To Commerce just south of I90 east to Wiley Farm Ct. Several hunters were already there - John and Janet, Tom and Pete - on foot with their flashlights! Matt and I got out on foot and headed off in the direction of Tony’s signal. Matt got there first to find Tony and Joan sitting in their Geo Tracker for the win. Matt told me to turn off my light and get Patty and the kids. While I was going back, John scored for 2nd. Patty, Jacob, Mac and I headed back to the Geo just ahead of Pete who claimed 3rd. As we headed back to the truck, Marty and Bill walked past us to find Tony and Joan to end the hunt. We decided on Jason’s Deli for the munch. Results: 1.Matt KC9SEM, Mike WA9FTS, Patty N9PLS, Mac 2. John WD9EXW, Janet, Jacob 3. Pete K9PW, Tom N9CBA 4. Marty N9LTE, Bill
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - March 5, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS
Matt KC9SEM was the fox. Later we found out that Bill joined him and helped set up the radio and antenna. Matt got the hunters (7 teams) off with a strong signal. The N9JPG group split into two groups - guys and the gals. Either Matt was close running low power or far away running lots of power. The signal was to the SSW and reasonably strong. Most hunters took 83 south. Paul and I got off at 55 and north on Lemont Rd north to 75th St and over 55 to James and to Woodbridge. We finally made it to James Av and Orchard Hills Park. Other hunters were already there with their flashlights. As I got close I spotted Colin and then Tom and then John walk past me to a parking lot. I found Matt and Bill and was told I was 5th. Tony scored for the win only 5 min earlier. A few minutes later Sheryl and the girls scored to end the hunt as Don gave up. Tony’s winning route was 83 to Butterfield to Finley to 355 to 75th to 53 and Wood Dale s to 83 and to James and the park. Matt was running 100 w to a tape measure beam up about 15 ft. It seems that everyone did well on this hunt. We met at Portillo’s on Boughton for the munch. Results: Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY Kevin N9JPG, Colin KD9AHH, Andy, Mason Tom N9CBA John WD9EXW, Janet Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF Sheryl KC9ZLS, Abbey KD9BLP, Sonya, Penny, Faith DNF Don W9RA
2nd Sat 2M foxhunt - Feb 13, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS
We had 6 hunt teams on a cold winter’s night show up to find John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA and Mike WA9FTS with Janet our driver. We drove off North Av to the south to find a good spot. Tom spotted a cell tower and we tried several times to get to it and failed. Finally we found a way in behind Lift Works and next to Endeavor. John and Tom set up a 3 el portable antenna horizontally polarized and up about 15 ft. Even with about 20w, the hunters had a problem hearing us. There was also traffic on 146.565 so it was suggested we try 146.34. The hunters were released at 8:12. First on the scene was Tony who came in from behind us across the RR tracks for the win. Three minutes later Matt and Patty drove in to find us. We saw Marty and Bill around 9:04 but they came in from Endeavor’s parking lot and got to us at 9:14. Pete also made it two minutes later for 4th. Don got close and saw us at 9:18. Kevin and crew were close but did not have much luck finding a way in until 9:39 when they drove in to end the hunt. We met at the Colonial Cafe nearby but Kevin’s family did not join us. Results: Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 8:55 Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 8:58 Marty N9LTE, Bill 9:14 Pete K9PW 9:16 Don W9RA 9:18 Kevin N9JPG, Sheryl KC9ZCL, Colin KD9AHH, Abbey KD9BLP, Mason, Sonya
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 2, 2016 by Mike WA9FTS
Tony AA9CC and Joan KC9QQY started the 5 hunters off with a decent signal directly to the south. The hunters took Rt 83. Matt spotted a Villa Park police car following us down Rt 83. Eventually the squad car came up on our right and asked what we were doing. We said it was a 2M foxhunt and he knew all about them. He had a N9 call and I let him know what frequency to listen to. Paul and I spotted Matt and Patty at 83 and Plainfield Rd. We went south to 75th and west to Clarendon Hills Rd and north to find Marty and Bill ahead of us. We went back to 83 south to Plainfield Rd. Marty and Bill determined Tony and Joan were hiding NE of 83 and Plainfield Rd. They went into the parking lot of an abandoned building and to the back. They found a pond and the dead end street where Tony and Joan were parked for the win. Paul and I turned the corner on Plainfield Rd and went north on 83. We went into a Condo complex to find Tom’s car. We went off between the buildings and found Tony and Joan shortly after John and Tom for 3rd. Don was the only one to drive in off Plainfield Rd and scored 4th place. Matt and Patty were so close early on but drove away. Eventually they ended the hunt and we all made it to the Patio at 75th and 83. Results: 1. Marty N9LTE, Bill 2. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 3. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 4. Don W9RA 5. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac
CFAR - 2M Foxhunt - Dec 5, 2015 by Mike WA9FTS
Matt KC9SEM and Patty N9PLS found a spot close to where John and Tom recently hid. They found the SE corner of the intersection of 355 and 55. Patty was in the Ford F-250 with Mac next to a water tower. Mat and Jacob on the west side of a movie theater on the ground. It was a photo finish as Tony beat John by about 30 sec for the win. Don arrived to end the hunt. Baker’s Square nearby was chosen for the munch. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 7, 2015 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Tom N9CBA & John WD9EXW
Tom and John got the hunters off with a good strong signal to the SSW. The hunters thought they were close as two of them got off 355 onto Ogden. Paul and I stayed until 55th St and then east to 171. We then encountered the problem of the 294/55 intersection. What the two other hunters out on foot. I tried west with Patty, Matt and Don through the woods. They took off east and I followed getting close to the hiding spot but turned around and went back to Kean St. The next transmission led me back east to see Matt passing Paul into the woods for the win. Paul got 2nd with Don ending the hunt for 3rd. I arrive to take pictures and later Matt brought Jacob and Mac to see Tom and John. They were running 30w to a tape measure beam up about 15 ft. We met at the Patio on 83rd St. Results: Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac Paul N9LXF, Mike WA9FTS Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 3, 2015 by Mike WA9FTS Fox - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac We had 4 hunt teams and Don W9RA hunting unofficially starting from Park Ridge. Matt had a weak signal from the start and several of the hunters asked for a better and stronger signal. Matt said he would try and several of the hunters were happy. I thought it sounded the same and later Matt admitted he did nothing to increase the signal. I got a weak signal to the WSW and when the hunters left, I heard nothing. The other three hunters took off east on North Av and, foolishly, we followed. Eventually I caught up with them and passed. This seemed weird as they normally travel quite fast. I did not hear Matt and, in the end, Charlie quit due to not hearing Matt. Paul and I decided to turn around at Harlem Av and head back west. The remaining teams turned around west of 1st Av to the west. We still did not hear anything until we got just east of Rt 83 on North Av - it was WSW. We tried for 290E to get us to Roosevelt but missed it and got on 294N. This took us to York Rd and we went south to Roosevelt. The other teams headed west on North Av to 83 and then Roosevelt west. We overshot Matt and Patty to Town Rd and then straight back to Commerce Dr to find Matt and Patty behind a building in their F250. Too late - We were third with John and Tom claiming 1st and Marty/Bill acquiring 2nd. All three official hunt teams came in within 5 min of one another. The surprise of the night was Don, hearing the signal from CFAR, noticed a hum and determined that the Lisle receive site was up and headed that way. He found Matt and Patty first - unofficially. A great performance anyway! Matt was running 50 w to the antenna on the F-250. We headed to Giordano’s in Glenn Ellyn on Roosevelt Rd. Results:
Unoff: Don W9RA 1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 2. Marty N9LTE, Bill 3. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF DNF Charlie KB9DIM
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Sept 5, 2015 by Mike WA9FTS - Info from Tom N9CBA
Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW started the hunter off with a signal to the SE. Matt and Patty took 290 east and we followed. Paul and I got off at Harlem following a heading we only got at the starting point. We could not hear at this point; others could hear as well as listeners of the hunt. Matt and Patty found the fox in the woods near the corner of 26th St & Park Av. Don gave up and we did also. We found out later that we turned north on 171 at Cermak before the hunt was won and it was less that a mile away from the hiding spot. We could not hear so we could not find them. The problem remains a mystery. Results: 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac DNF Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Aug 1st, 2015 by Tony AA9CC
Mike could have fairly won the hunt, if it wasn't for the photochromographic detensifiers he inadvertently wore, which caused virtual blindness the twilight conditions on the last leg of the hunt. John, who walk past the three or four times scored just as Mike crash through the antenna. It was a while - 30 minutes before Matt scoured the area, then exclaiming "I have a 9 - he has got to be right here" as he realize he was staring down the boom of a 10 element beam at eye level hidden in the tall invasive Phragmites grass. Bill and Marty took the level path along the I355 fence line. Don, as usual called his hunt at 9:00 PM. We met afterward at Bakers Square.
Ed. Notes: I forgot that I was wearing my sun glasses and wondered why it got so dark. Tony pointed it out when I found him. After John and I got back to where we parked I found out that Paul fell on his face getting his portable gear out of the Jeep. His nose was bloody and he scuffed his right knee. Later we got an update on Don’s fishing trip to Canada. He caught fish and he also caught himself. He was lucky there was medical help who professionally removed the hook from Don’s right palm.
Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 2. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 3. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 4. Marty N9LTE, Bill DNF Don W9RA
July CFAR 2M Foxhunt Due to the July 4th holiday, the July foxhunt is rescheduled on Aug 1st. Tony AA9CC will be the fox.
CFAR 2m Foxhunt - June 6, 2015 by Mike WA9FTS
Matt KC9SEM got the hunters off with a signal to the SW. John and Tom took North west and south to Roosevelt west. Tony, Marty and Paul and I took 83 south. We should have taken 88 west but went east and then south to get on 88. Paul and I got off at 59 north to Roosevelt. We got caught east of RR tracks and went back and forth as did John and Tom. We went over the tracks to the west and found Matt and John who was helping take down the antenna. John was transmitting and helped us finish the hunt. We met at Giordono’s on Roosevelt and Glenn Elynn Rd. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Marty N9LTE, Janelle, Kayla 3. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - May 3, 2015 by Tony AA9CC w/ Joan KC9QQY
It was a beautiful spring May day and I decided to hide in a different direction than usual. I remembered a spot that I had scoped out a few years back, unfortunately it was fenced off when we got there and the secondary spot was also inaccessible. We drove north to a dead end street with a path at the end of it. I walked the area and it seem like a reasonable spot with a bike trail and an old rail bead diverging from Bryn Mawr. We drove around to the east side to set up, about 2 miles around. I used the new Octopus antenna atop the fiberglass masts at 37 feet, it got somehow turned and was pointing 45 degrees up, which I fixed around the 5th transmission. The hunters had a weak signal, so I upped the power from 5 to 30 watts. Two bats were flying aerobatic maneuvers in the twilight around the antenna and up and down the rail bed. It was a long hunt and Matt finally found me around 9:30 and John at 9:45. Don gave up at 9:00, driving with a south reading out of the starting lot . The correct reading was 241 degrees. After some confusion we met at Sally's on Harlem.
1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob and Mac 2. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA and Janet DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - April 4th, 2015 by John WD9EXW
John WD9EXW, the fox, was here. about 8-9 mi away. https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&sll=41.975205,-87.993&sspn=0.01273,0.017788&geocode=FS44fwIdTdPB-g%3BFfGKgAIduFHB-g&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=16&t=m&z=16
I was running 4 watts with a horizontal tape measure beam pointed away from starting point. All 4 hunters heard me, and the hunt start was 8:04PM. ConEd driveway, posted a no entry sign at substation, but the driveway turned off just before the ConEd gate. It was hard to spot.Tony actually drove up very close. There were several towers, cell, microwave and high tension wires that bounced the signal around. Once in the area, several hunters walked past, very close.
1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY @ 8:47 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac @ 8:53 3. Marty N9LTE, Bill, Janell @ 8:57 DNF Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - March 7th, 2015 by Mike WA9FTS
John WD9EXW and Tom N9CBA started the 4 hunt teams out with a good signal to the N/NW. Tony and Joan took 83 to 290 which proved to be a good path. The rest of the hunters took 83 further north. Matt and Patty went west on Devon to Higgins and north on 53 to Higgins and then to Roselle. Paul and I took Higgins west to Roselle, north to Algonquin, south on Mecham west to Plum Grove Rd. We saw Matt’s F-250 and got out. With a bad reading on the SW corner of Wiley Farm Ct & Plum Grove we tried the NW corner and found John and Tom for third. Matt, without any gear, secured 2nd by seeing a turn in the signal direction as they arrived. Tony walked in through swampy ground for the win not wanting to make it easy. But taking 290 it got him there early enough to beat Matt by about 5 min. Don came in shortly after I found them to end the hunt. We met at Portillo’s on Golf and Plum Grove Rd. John and Tom were running 10W to a tape measure beam up about 5-6 ft. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 3. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 4. Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 7th, 2015 by Mike WA9FTS
Steve AC9MM agreed to hide for Tony AA9CC so he could hunt. This was Steve’s first time as the fox. He started the hunters out with a good signal into CFAR and was straight south of the starting point. All the hunters took Rt 83. John and Tom took 75th west and found Steve for the win. They were in the right place at the right time. Matt and Patty turned around and went back to 75th with Marty pulling over to the side and waited. Paul and I went to 91st and back north on Clarendon Hills Rd to 75 and south to find a dead end road to the Willowbrook Community Park. However, Matt and Patty were just ahead of us. Running north through about a foot of snow, we found Steve sitting on a park bench seconds behind Matt who secured 2nd. Steve was running 5w from an HT to a J-Pole. On the way back I saw Tony running over to find Steve. Back at the van, Marty was on his way into the park for 4th and Don wondering if he should try it in the snow. He did it to end the hunt. We met at the Baker’s Square about a half mile to the north off Rt 83. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N0PLS, Jacob, Mac 3. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF Unoff Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 4. Marty N9LTE, Bill, Janell 5. Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 3, 2015 by Marty N9LTE with Bill, Jeanell and Kayla
We decided to hide near Mike's WA9FTS house to finally give him a chance for a short ride home. We hid behind the shopping center on Foster and Harlem, right next to Chicago Police Credit Union. Weather conditions were not the best so we stayed in the truck running 5 watts on a 5/8 wave mag mount. All hunters said they were able to copy at the start point. We saw several hunters drive by north on Harlem about 1 hr later and eventually Tony/Joanie drove up for first with Matt/Patti right on their tails by about 5 min. Yes Tony said he drove to Mike's house only to find no one there (that was the predicted). Tom walked up for 3rd looking exhausted and we found out he was on foot all the way from Harlem and I90 weaving through the neighborhood. Finally Don DNF'd soon followed by Mike. We retreated to Bakers Square on Harlem and Foster for munchies and some well earned desert. Results: 1) Tony AA9CC, Joanie KC9QQY 2) Matt KC9SEM, Patti N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 3) Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet DNF Don W9RA DNF Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 6th, 2014 by Mike WA9FTS Matt KC9SEM started the hunters out with a strong signal to the SW of the starting point. All of the hunters took North Ave west. Marty and Bill took I355 south to I88 west to Orchard Rd and went west on Orchard Gateway Rd to Deerpath Rd around to a parking lot. Marty and Bill were off on foot north to a small hill and found Matt hiding on the east side with his 3 el tape measure beam up about 8 ft Mat was running around 75 w. It was good for the win. Tony and Joan got off North Av south on Prince Crossing but got back on Rt 59 to Butterfield and across the fox River using Orchard Gateway Rd and in the same way Marty for 2nd. A transmission later John came in across the field from the east for third. They took North Ave to 25 the then south. Paul and I went south off North Ave to Butterfield. We found 2 dead ends for Airport Rd before getting back on Orchard Gateway Rd and walking across the field for 4th. Less than a transmission later, Don arrived to end the hunt. We met at Chili’s nearby. Results: Marty N9NTE, Bill, Janell, Kayla 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 3. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 5. Don W9RA
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Nov 1st, 2014 by Marty N9LTE
We started out with a little more of a secluded spot but once we drove up to it, we found it to be private property so had to drive a short distance to selection 2. Decided to do a remote cross band repeater setup and sit about 100 yards away just far enough to monitor the hunter's activity. Transmitted on an HT at 442 Mhz which in turn cross banded to the CFAR repeater. We used 5 watts into a quad beam using vertical polarization pointed in a NE direction towards downtown Chicago. The majority of hunters all had a pretty good start signal but it took almost an hour to see the first activity. Matt and Patty were first to roll up with Tony on their heels. Rumor has it that Tony tripped and fell leaving Patty to strike for first place. Tony took second with Tom and John coming in about 10 min later for third. First and second place went directly to the transmitter, while third walked up to the truck only to learn that was not the transmit location. Mike and Paul rolled up about 20 minutes later to score fourth and Don DNFed shortly before that. We then headed to Red Robin on Weber road in Bolingbrook for munchies.
Fox N9LTE/Bill/Jeanell
Hunters
Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 3. Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Oct 4th, 2014 by Mike WA9FTS
Five hunt teams were ready to find Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW. The antenna was a mag mount atop a steel framed gate. The gate was swung to try to best orient the pattern to the starting point. Tom did give an A / B /C indication as the gate was swung,. There was no feedback from the starting point. They used B (the middle of the 3), but Marty reported later at the munch that C gave a stronger signal. They were running 30W. I was the only one not to hear the fox and headed north not knowing the route of the other hunters. I took I290 to I355 and north to Euclid - then west to Roselle Rd south to Alginquin Rd and then to Barrington Rd. It was then I was surprised to see Matt KC9SEM pass me heading south. I found Don W9RA off Shoe Factory Rd walking into the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve. I drove away and took the Greenspoint Pkwy around to Higgins Rd. Little did I know that I was only a few hundred feet away from Tom and John. They were hiding in a garbage corral. The original plan was near there but lower and more concealed. Tom left the yagi in his driveway by mistake, so the backup antenna was used. They did have backups for radio and batteries. Don gave up and I did also. We met at Buona Beef on Higgins nearby. Results: 1. Marty N9LTE, Bill, Janelle - 8:43PM 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY - 8:43PM 3. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac - 8:44PM DNF Don W9RA DNF Mike WA9FTS
CFAR Foxhunt Report - Sep 6th, 2014 by Mike WA9FTS
Matt KC9SEM started the 4 hunt teams with a weak but hearable signal. It was vertically polarized and thoughts of several hunters was Matt was quite a ways off. This proved to be true. The signal was from the SW to WSW direction. Don did not make it to the starting point as he was caught in a traffic jam on 294 due to a bad accident. Don would hunt unofficially. Three of the hunters took off south on Rt 83 to Army Trail Rd and on to 355 south. Marty and Janelle (handling the antenna for the 1st time) went north to North Ave and then on 355. The EXW/CBA and CC/QQY team continued south to I88. I got off at Butterfield and went west to the Fox River. The cross over the Fox River was out-of-the-way using a frontage road. The road became Oak and then off to Tanner Rd. I was stopped by a “Road Closed” sign and went around to find a another way west. No luck - so back to the “Road Closed” sign. I saw Don walking back very tired. I got out and secured my van and off 500 ft to encountering several ditches and the closed bridge over the Lake Run creek. Another 1000 ft and I ran past a silo and spotted Matt and Patty’s F-250. They were at Tammer and Norris Rd. I was third with John earning the win traveling over the same real estate. Only Tony drove up after initially driving off to secure 2nd. Marty and Janelle were close but gave up to end the hunt. We went to Chili’s on Orchard Rd but Marty thought we were going to another place. Later Bill joined us. Matt was running 75w to his portable 3 ele yagi up about 15 ft. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY Unoff Don W9RA 3. Mike WA9FTS DNF Marty N9LTE, Janelle
Google Maps: Hiding Spot: 41.809711, -88.407232
CFAR Foxhunt Report - Aug 2nd, 2014 by Mike WA9FTS
John WD9EXW and Tom N9CBA started the hunters out with a strong signal to the NW. Three of the five hunters took 83 north to 290 N and then to Thorndale Rd. Tony AA9CC got off at North Av. Matt KC9SEM, Marty N9LTE and I went on the Elgin-O’Hare to Lake St. Matt turned left on Lake St and Marty and I went right. I lost Marty and turned south on 59. I drove past Stearns Rd right past were John and Tom were hiding. I got involved in a residential area. Meanwhile, Tony and Matt were fighting it out for the win.Tony apparently got there first but Matt found a path around a heavy growth of trees next to a stone wall for the win. Tony got 2nd and I got away from a local park to drive in and off on foot. They were well-hidden but it was good for third. Marty and Bill followed up for fourth. Don, who was close, decided on the restaurant instead. The hunt was over. We met at Nicodino’s Pizza at 59 and Stearns for the munch.
Results:
1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 3. Mike WA9FTS 4. Marty N9LTE, Bill Janell, Kayla DNF Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt Report - July 5th, 2014 by Mike WA9FTS
Matt KC9SEM and Patty N9PLS and kids took off to be with the family so there was only 3 hunters. Tony AA9CC was engaged in a bike race and asked me tho hide for him. I found a spot a few blocks from home in Chicago next to the parking lot of St Eugene church. It was a heavily wooded strip between the parking lot and homes. Access from Foster Av was almost impossible but there was a break in the fence at the north end. I set up there with a Go-Radio and a J-Pole 2m antenna on the end of a 10 ft piece of conduit and vertically polarized. All 3 hunters heard me and we started the hunt at 8:02:43. At 8:39:10 I saw Janet drive up with John and Tom. Tom finally found me at 8:43:02 coming in from the easy way to the north for the win. Marty and Bill drove up several minutes later - waited for a transmission and then came in the same way for 2nd at 8:52:30. At 8:59:20, Don who was within a few blocks gave up. We met at Dino’s Pizza on Higgins east of Harlem Av. This was a popular ham spot in the 70s and 80s. I found out that Janet drove John and Tom up Rt 83 to Irving Pk Rd east to Cumberland and north to the Kennedy and back on residential streets into the parking lot at the church. Results: 1. Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet 2. Marty N9LTE, Bill DNF Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt Report - June 7th, 2014 by John WD9EXW
While hunting with us last month, Steve had scored, so we used one of his spots. He had a few potential places, we browsed a few, and some munch options.
Foxes were here: https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&sll=41.688281,-88.111296&sspn=0.014165,0.020385&geocode=FVA8fwIdltHB-g%3BFR8jfAId23q_-g&t=h&mra=me&mrsp=1,0&sz=16&z=16
Google reports 21 miles. Actual spot per Tom N9CBA: Google Maps: 41.689031, -88.113350 It was an abandoned plant nursery. We were thinking of using the silo, but it was occupied by a family of Hawks. So we hunkering in the rows of evergreens. Hunters had a couple late arrivals, so our test was 8:10, Start was 8:14. 15 watts to a tape measure beam at 15' pointed towards the start. In addition to the hawks, a raccoon sauntered by at 8:30. I think we surprised him more - he turned and ran. In our lair, we didn't really see anyone coming, neither did Jenna, waiting across the street. She was disappointed! Suddenly we'd hear a few steps in the weeds, and hunters appeared. #1 -Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY @ 9:02 #2 - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac @ 9:07 #3 - Kevin N9JPG, Sheryl KC9ZCL, Colin KD9AHH, Mason, Abbey, Sonja @ 9:14 #4 - Marty N9LTE, Bill @ 9:18 #5 - Mike WA9FTS @ 9:20 DNF - Don W9RA
Munched at Cheddars near 53 and 55
Editors Notes: Before the hunt started, Don K9VGJ and Jo stopped by to say hello. At Cheddar’s we met some friends of Steve KD9AUM - Bryan KC9GRH and Mariann KC9JLK. Tony’s winning route was: 83 to 2nd St to 88 to 355 to 55 to Weber and then Lily Cashe.
CFAR Foxhunt Report - May 3rd, 2014 by Tony AA9CC
Congratulations to Steve KD9AUM for winning the hunt second time out. Steve is an avid RC drone helicopter enthusiast and is developing a multi-rotor system to aid search and rescue in the Fox river valley. He rode with the N9CBA team. I didn't have much time to find a spot after working a 12 hour shift Saturday, I hid in the field behind the Woodridge police department. After setting up, I walked to the lobby and pressed the “Press Here” for police assistance button in the closed lobby of the station and explained what I was doing. After talking to a young officer, who didn't know what Amateur Radio was, I got a cautionary OK to hide in the woods as long as the homes along the south were not disturbed. I had to adjust up antenna and power and reminded the hams of proper hunting etiquette at the start. The hunt was uneventful except for a robin who was protesting my presence. We met afterward at the Bakers Square on 75 street.
Results:
Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Steve KD9AUM, Janet Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mac 3. Marty N9LTE, Bill DNF Don W9RA.
CFAR Hunt - April 5th, 2014 - by Mike WA9FTS
Matt KC9SEM got the hunters off with a strong signal to the NW. Tony AA9CC, trying to get back in the thick of things, took Finley north to I-335 north and I-290 and then on I-90 west. He got off at Roselle Rd. He was close and John WD9EXW and Tom N9CBA were right there also. They were both on the wrong side of a creek - how do they get across? Tony found a fallen tree and made his way across to find Matt and Patty N9PLS with Jacob under a large tree for the win. John arrived for a close 2nd. Kevin and the gang arrived a little later with Colin KD9AHH finding Matt for third. Tom N9IHZ and I took a slower route getting off I-355 on to Higgins - then to Arlington Hts Rd and then I-90. We were just past Roselle Rd but had to go to Barrington Rd and then past Roselle Rd. to I-290. We came back to Golf and Higgins to find a 3-strength noise that drowned out Matt’ signal. Tom, who delivers commercial gas in the area, suggest going north to Commercial Rd and then to Adama Co. We were on the right side of the creek and I just beat out Bill and Marty N9LTE for 4th. Don W9RA was close by but wanted to get to the munch instead. We met at the Chipoltle Mexican Grill nearby.
Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet, Mackenzie 3. Kevin N9JPG, Colin KD9AHH, Tom KD9AUN, Randy KD9AUO, Seth KD9AUI 4. Mike WA9FTS, Tom N9IHZ 5. Marty N9LTE, Bill DNF Don W9RA
CFAR Hunt - March 1st, 2014 - by John WD9EXW
Once again with crummy weather in play for the evening, we didn't want to hide far, a spot with ample room, safe parking with little danger to hunters.
Our last hide for a month, we thought we'd use take the opportunity to hide at a local college. We checked out a couple close by spots, and we were prepared to be outside, but realized the parking garage stair well would be dry and warm. Bingo. We made sure to chat with local gendarmes to explain.
The foxes were here: https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=IL-83+S&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&sll=41.779625,-88.092853&sspn=0.007073,0.010192&geocode=Ffw7fwId4MvB-g%3BFVR_fQIdf8q_-g&mra=me&mrsp=1,0&sz=17&t=m&z=17 Parking lot stairwell location at Google Maps: 41.776234, -88.097158
Google reports 14 mi away. We were high, 3rd level, with vertical tape measure beam pointed generally towards the start point, 5 watt mobile rig. We had muffled audio reports last week, so I made sure to check the mic connections and cord. The issue did not re-appear. On the main approach, it was not readily apparent that there was multiple stairwells, which threw off a couple hunters, who ran up and down the other side. And we were careful about not laying footprints and tire tracks which are sometimes helpful to hunters.
We started @ 8:10 with all hunters hearing us.
We saw Matt's pickup first, paused near our entrance. We discovered later that Matt was already out at the time, running in the garage. We had a fairly equal mix of hunters discovering us while coming up, and down the stairs. No one entered from the (one step away) third floor door. And we surprised nearly everyone, as the stair layout meant not seeing us until a hunter turned the corner onto our flight. Close finish again too, where an extra red light, single wrong turn, or route made a difference!
#1 Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jake and Mack @ 8:54 #2 Bill (hunting with Tony AA9CC & Joanie KC9QQY) @ 8:55 Without knowing Bill was in, Tony scored separately just a moment later. #3 Mike WA9FTS, Tom N9IHZ @ 9:31 #4 Don W9RA @ 9:31 Just in time for the pics.
Munched at Passero's Pizza at 53 and Maple.
CFAR Hunt - Feb 1st, 2014 by Matt KC9SEM
Patty and I had lots of errands to do today and it didn't leave us with much time to find a spot. After hiding in a snow cave last weekend I wanted to hide in the vehicle this time around. We chose one of the business on my UPS route (41.777192, -88.224104). The building, where we were hiding, is in a U shape. I was using my tape measure beam on a 7 foot mast at 5 watts. I knew the signal would be weak at the start point but it sounded like we were making the repeater full quieting. I later found out that we were making the repeater most of the time and that a few transmissions didn't make it. Hind sight, I should have used a little more power. This was a drive up hunt but the first 2 on the scene came from the north on foot. Tony was the first one we saw but he ran right by us and went around the building. A few minutes later was John, and he came in a full sprint as soon as he saw Patty and I sitting in the truck to score first. Tony finally made it around the building to take second. We had munchies at Portillo's on route 59 in Naperville. Results: John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet, Matt Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY Marty N9LTE, Bill Mike WA9FTS DNF Kevin N9JPH, Colin KD9AHH (new call DNF Don W9RA
CFAR Hunt - Jan 4th, 2014 by John WD9EXW
We has a birthday request for munchies at the Cheesecake factory. There are 3 in the area, so we choose Woodfield, and started looking in the area. After a couple ideas, we settled here: 42.06599,-88.093305 https://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.06599,-88.093305&hl=en&ll=42.065989,-88.093357&spn=0.000575,0.000791&sll=42.065989,-88.093357&sspn=0.000575,0.000791&t=h&z=20
Turned out snow was a barrier to getting the car tucked back in farther. Then as we walked around, we found the 'smoking section' - actually a bus stop out in a parking lot, with bench and roof. Maps report a 17 mi drive, perfect route was expressway nearly all the way. We were trying for 'nearly drive up' in lieu of poor driving conditions, and you could drive within 10 feet of us. 5 watt mobile rig, small beam @ 8’ roughly vertical pointe south east. Plenty of moisture in the air, low clouds, power lines and a couple buildings caused some reflections After a delayed start (late hunters) we released @ 8:16
#1 Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mackenzie. Matt saw the car and managed to follow the tracks. @ 9:01 #2 Marty N9LTE & Bill who drove right up #3 Tony AA9CC Drove right up Don W9RA elected to munch instead. Mike WA9FTS had no signal. When Matt scored, he reported Tony was alone, so we decided to do pizza instead - and munched at Uno's Chicago Grill.
There would have been more pictures but I had technical problems - I could not hear the fox and could not follow the other hunters. I found an adaptor with a short between the center conductor and shield between the antenna and the sniffer. - WA9FTS
CFAR Foxhunt - Dec 7th, 2013 - by Mike WA9FTS
Don K9VGJ and Joe showed up before the hunt to wish us good luck. Matt KC9SEM provided a weak but hearable signal to start the hunt. The signal was coming from the SW, or maybe WSW. Three of the five hunt teams took 355 south. Tom and I took Roosevelt Rd west to Kirk and it became Farnsworth. We made it to a road just north of I-88 and west to find John and Tom heading back to their van. I got out on foot and ran across a field to find Matt’s truck and flashlights to the north heading my way very quickly. I jumped over a snow fence (2ft high) to score a third. Bill and Marty arrive seconds later. Shortly, Don drove in from the road as he was the only one to do so. It was a drive-up! We went to Portillo’s.
Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 3. Mike WA9FTS, Tom N9IHZ 4. Marty N9LTE, Bill 5. Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt - Nov 2nd, 2013 - by John WD9EXW
We were here, about 10.5 miles away. Running 35 watts to vertical tape beam at 12'. All hunters heard us. The street is not on google map yet since it is a new subdivision. It wasn't intended to be muddy but some of the hunters chose a muddy route in the dark.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=IL-83+S&daddr=41.881368,+-88.147067&hl=en&ll=41.879531,-88.110523&spn=0.112984,0.162907&sll=41.894227,-87.956758&sspn=0.01412,0.020363&geocode=FQM5fwIdkszB-g%3BFRgPfwIdhfu--g&t=h&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=16&z=13 The muched was at The Burger Joint which was a new spot on Roosevelt Rd. It was a food court type place with Connie’s Pizza & Oberweiss Dairy. Some hunters enjoyed an ice cream or shake.
Results: Fox John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA - later joined by Janet and Matt 1. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob and Mackenzie - 8:35PM 2. Bill, John, Max and Taylor - 8:39PM 3. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY - 8:50PM 4. Mike WA9FTS - 8:52PM 5. Don W9RA - 9:00PM
CFAR Fox Hunt, October 5th, 2013 by Tony AA9CC
I stumbled across this spot a few years ago when Charlie was hiding in an enclosed fenced area on the other side of the water treatment plant. I thought of it when I cycled near by this morning. The ground was still fairly firm and I was able to drive in. Power was 5 watts through 50 feet of RG 8 foam coax, with 2 dB loss gives 3 watts at the antenna. The antenna was a 2x2 array atop 7 sections of 5 foot green army surplus fiberglass mast. Weather was overcast with chance of more rain. John, W9EXW was, as expected, first to find me at 8:51, he seems to do well in this area. Following 10 seconds later was Matt, KC9SEM. If Matt won the hunt, he would be tied for first place, and would hide for the next 4 hunts. Don gave up near 33rd street, with reflections to the north. Mike gave up while on I294 for the second time, unable to find the road in. Marty and son with friend and Bill decided not to walk in from Joilet Rd. Munchies were at Bakers Square across from the Patio on Rt 83.
Results: 1 Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet, Matt 2 Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob & Mackenzie dnf Don W9RA dnf Mike WA9FTS dnf Marty N9LTE (formerly KB9SMR), Bill, Joey & AJ
Marty KB9SMR was out camping in Michigan and asked me to hide for him. Even though I had a full day at Radio Expo taking care of the exhibitors and this was in Belvidere IL, I said yes. I wanted to be involved with the hunt and decided that hiding would be easier than hunting. I found a spot south of Grand Av and at the end of Fullerton Av with woods to hid in. I tried my HT that would be good enough since this was about 4 miles from the starting point. A problem - the HT would transmit but there was no receive. Why? I could not get it to work so I was resigned to hide at the end of Fullerton and let the hunters drive up and complain that it was too easy. I drove there and then found a deserted building and an opening in a fence. I drove my van in and deep into the wood and I drove further. I finally settled in to an opening 600 ft off the road. Bill called and said he would join us as Marty was camping for the weekend. There were 5 hunt teams to start and we got the hunt off at about 8:07PM. This was going to be harder than I originally planned. At 8:48 Tony AA9CC walked in for the win. He thought it was a great spot. About 9 min later Matt KC9SEM also walked in to claim 2nd place. Tony drove in later and so did Matt with Jacob who asked if I was the fox. I naturally said yes. I heard some talking from a different direction - east - out of the woods came John WD9EXW at about 9:06 to secure 3rd. Twenty min later Kevin N9JPG and his 4 kids arrived from about the same area to finish 4th. Don W9RA gave up and we headed to Culver’s at Grand and 25th. I gave Kevin and his gang a ride to his truck which was on the other side of the RR tracks. When I got to Culver’s I found out that several of the hunters took 294 north of were I was hiding and had to come back quickly. Then they had the problem of finding out how to get to me. Tony spotted the opening in the fence which was key to his win. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jacob, Mackenziee 3. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet, Matt 4. Kevin N9JPG, Colin, Mason, Abbey, Sonja DNF Don W9RA
CFAR Hunt - Aug 3, 2013 by Tony AA9CC
Well it must have been a pretty good hide; we had 2 DNFs, a mangled 4 element antenna and mast, a hunter pulled over by the cops, and one ready to punch me out. We hid on the brand new bike trail spur along the Will-Du Page county line, on the east side of 355 between Bluff Road and International Parkway. Only the building walls were up. 40 minutes into the hunt we saw flashlights on the walls - a total of 4. Hunters spent a long time there - 15 to 30 minutes. There were many reflections and hiding spots inside. Marty and Bill drove up the bike trail to us, by shear luck they got a level 6 to the east while speeding south on I355, exited on 127th street, drove around to Davey, drove though the grass at the dead end, hit an oak tree and mangled the antenna. A cop saw that and pulled them over. They talked there way out of a ticket and proceeded to win the hunt. Marty showed me the new trail was already shown on Google Maps, though marked as "planned", on his iPhone! Second place - N9CBA followed them in, John crossed under the bridge, and walked up the grass on the wrong side of the fence from the warehouse. N9JPG and gang, on foot, were passed by the cars gong around then on the side of the trail just a 100 feet from the fox. KC9SEM said he was throwing in the towel. Don W9RA was a DNF. We kept transmitting for WA9FTS, who, unbeknown to us was sitting at munchies. I went to get the car and when returned, found Matt had rejoined the hunt. He drove up around 9:35. Munchies were at Baker’s Square on 75th at I355. Results:
1 Marty KB9SMR & Bill 2 Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet & Matt 3 Kevin N9JPG, Sheryl, Colin, Mason, Abbey & Sonja 4 Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9JPG, Jacob & Mackenzie DNF Don W9RA DNF Mike WA9FTS
Editor’s Note First 2 places came in and drove on the bike path that was not marked on Industrial Rd. It was clearly marked on Bluff Rd.
CFAR Hunt - July 6, 2013 by Mike WA9FTS with Tom N9IHZ
The weatherman said it would be a dry weekend and he was correct. The temp was comfortable and the hunters gathered for the hunt. Matt KC9SEM and Patty N9PLS asked me to hid for them. Tom and I looked for a place that was used decades ago by Don K9VGJ and Chuck KA9KZO. At that time Don and I were hunting and won the hunt. We found them at the top of the Mannheim bridge over the north edge of the BNSF railroad yard and just east of I-294. We picked the exact same spot. Several years ago the bridge was completely redone. Before there was two barriers and they separated pedestrian traffic from the motor traffic. This is no longer the case although it was still very safe for us to use We found a clean piece of cardboard on the walkway and it was large enough for us to both sit down on. We let them know this was not a drive-up hunt and that they could not break any rules of the road to score as it would not count. This meant they could not stop on the bridge to score as stopping was against the law. We started the hunt about two minutes after 8PM. I was using a Yaesu VX-6 and a rubber duck running 1W. I brought up CFAR although, according to the hunters later at the restaurant, not as clear as I could be. The first hunter to be seen was Tony AA9CC and Joan KC9QQY at 8:23 driving north on Mannheim. They drove to Irving Park and turned around and parked just north of us. As 8:32, Tony ran up from the north to secure the win. Ten minutes later, John WD9EXW came from the same direction to get the 2nd place card. I took a picture of Don’s W9RA van driving below us so I knew he would score soon. A mere three minutes later, Marty KB9SMR and Bill showed up for 3rd. Don showed up 5 minutes later to end the hunt. The restaurant chosen was Mama Maria’s in Bensenville. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 8:32 PM 2. John WD9EW, Tom N9CBA, Janet, Matt 8:42 PM 3. Marty KB9SMR, Bill 8:45 PM 4. Don W9RA 8:50 PM
Tom and Mike wait for the hunters.
Tony arrives for the win.
Hunters digging in.
CFAR Foxhunt - June 1st, 2013 by John WD9EXW To change our routine up, we decided on a shorter drive hunt. I had spotted a closed golf course about a week ago, so Tom & I checked it out. Perfect! Club house was gone, only the foundation remained. Grass was overgrown. Parking lots were still there. Best of all - no signs, fences, or gates to bar entry. When we pulled in the lot, it was raining so we waited. A moment later a local cop pulled up to ask if we were ok. We explained, and he said 'go for it' Foxes were here, off Army Trail road in Addison.
Google reports 4.6 miles on the perfect route. It continued to rain off an on, not hard, but it was a nuisance. All hunters heard us on 10 watts & a mostly vertical 5/8 wave right on the ground. Start @ 8:03 The hunters thought we'd be farther, and hopped on I290, which commits them to overshooting. And as they scored, 2 hunters said they thought we'd be in the car because the wet conditions. (never can tell about those foxes)
1 - Matt KC9SEM, Patty N9PLS, Jake and Mack. @ 8:52 2 - Mike WA9FTS @ 9:02 3 - Marty KB9SMR & Bill @ 9:05
W9RA Don got pretty close, but had equipment trouble. AA9CC Tony and Joanie - were hunting unofficially, starting from home, scored @ 8:56 Munched at Culver's on Lake St.
CFAR Foxhunt - May 4,2013 - by Matt KC9SEM
Patty and I started off in downtown Naperville, looking for a spot to hide a few hours before the hunt. We had decided that a small wooded area between two buildings would be suitable for fox like status (41.779818, -88.161652). I was using a 25 foot painters pole with a 12 by 12 inch metal plate on top serving as a ground plain for my 1/4 wave mag-mount. I wanted to use 10 watts but the hunters could not hear me at the start point so I bumped it to 35 watts. I believe that the signal was still weak at the start point but majority could here, so the hunt was underway. John (WD9EXW) was first on the seen about 47 minutes in to the hunt. He quickly scored and most hunters gathered around the parking lot just to my east as other hunters came in. We had munchies at Portillo's on Ogden in Naperville.
1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 3. Mike WA9FTS, Tom N9IHZ 4. Marty KB9SMR, Bill 5. Don W9RA 6. Kevin N9JPG, Sharyl, Mason, Abby, Sonja DNF Charlie KB9DIM
Well, once again we tried to be a bit more original with our hiding for the first week of April. We were stationed directly across the street from Fry's in Lombard. I decided to use a quad beam pointing directly at the southern side of the huge water tower across the street from Fry's. The intent was to create a web of reflections caused by the tower, Fry's, and several other buildings surrounding us. It was a lean count of hunters of only 2 vehicles, 3 hunters. I placed the antenna along with the transmitter amongst some low lying bushes in the parking lot. I then set the Icom transceiver to "cross-band repeater" mode. We hid in the truck about 100 yards away and used a UHF mobile to relay the transmissions which uplinked to the CFAR repeater. Although I was able to key the repeater during practice runs, the hunters claimed they only heard a click at the end of transmission. So we switched to simplex 146.340 where the hunters were able to copy. I also forgot to check the TOT setting on the handheld which timed out after 30 seconds. So Matt was quite disturbed when he was first to drive up after about an hour from the start. John ran up to Matt to grab second trailed by Tom for third. Aside from a few technical difficulties, the hunt was a success. We ended up at the usual Portillo's on Butterfield and Finley.
Finals were:
KM9SMR Marty/Bill (FOX)
Matt KC9SEM, Patty KC9YQM, Jacob & Mackenzie
John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA & Janet
1st Sat CFAR Foxhunt - Mar 3, 2013 - by John WD9EXW with Tom N9CBA and Janet Tom and I got together early, and picked a direction based on munchies - Barnaby's - been awhile since we were there. We drove out, checked several areas. We tried a forest preserve that was interesting, nearly missing the dinky sign: 'closed at sunset' so we left, and 5 min later a cop was there locking the gate. That would have been awkward. We finally settled on a back parking lot tucked between a couple trucks. Right here: http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=41.892698,+-87.961671&daddr=Natchez+Ave&hl=en&sll=42.024842,-87.78942&sspn=0.002606,0.004039&geocode=FVo7fwIduc_B-g%3BFdU_gQIdbnDE-g&t=h&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=18&z=18 Google reports 19 mi away. And says the winning route should be 294 overshooting to the Dempster exit. We thought it should be very straightforward, but hunters reported some area reflections. Interestingly, while it was an easy drive up, most hunters walked up for the score. With 3 hunters approaching on the wrong side of the fence. #1 - Marty KB9SMR & Bill @ 8:42 #2 - Tony AA9CC & Joan KC9QQY #3 - Mike WA9FTS #4 - Matt KC9SEM & Patty, Jake & Mack #5 - Don W9RA #6 - Kevin N9JPG, Jim, Dave KD7MBX, Colin Ed note: I left before the hunters arrived at Barnaby’s to go to the hamfest in Sterling IL. Therefore, I was not able to take pictures of them.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Feb 2nd, 2013 - by Tony AA9CC We hid very close to here 4 years ago, but the topology has changed. Instead of a crouching under a camo net in a gully we were parked on top of a huge dirt mound. From our vantage point we could see a mile. The weather was 10F, overcast with 2 inches of snow. The hunt started without a hitch with 15 watts to a 5/8 mag mount. We saw Mike first on the scene, but on the other side of 355. He could see us parked up there, but the GPS route took him a half hour to find us from the south. As Mike left to embark, Janet drove in. John walked in a block to score first place. As they were leaving, Matt and company showed up after exploring the movie theatre area opposite the interstates. He followed our tire tracks up the mound, effortlessly in the big 4x4. As Matt was leaving Marty drove in, but the road was too rough for the hybrid. Bill and Marty hiked in together. As they were leaving Don drove in and also walked up. Mike finished up the hunt for 5th place and we drove him back to his minivan. We gathered at Bakers Square on 75th street. Matt, Patty, Jacob and Patty's new daughter Mackenzie (5 days old) was along on the hunt. She was born Monday. She didn't say much, she yawned and stretched a few times. She looks a lot like Jacob, but without the dimple on the chin. Jacob, the little man, is very empathetic and protective of his little sister.
Results:
1) Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet 2) Matt KC9SEM, Patty, Jacob and Mackenzie 3) Marty KB9SMR and Bill 4) Don W9RA 5) Mike WA9FTS
Tony & Joan’s hiding spot This was on top of a very tall hill of dirt. Only 4 wheel drive vehicles could attempt this “drive-up”.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Jan 5th, 2013 - by Mike WA9FTS We continue to have mild winter weather as 6 hunt teams gathered to find Don W9RA. Don had a weak signal at the beginning with only Matt KC9SEM hearing him. Don adjusted things and several minutes later all the hunters heard. Four of the teams got a south reading and headed down Rt 83. The EXW/CBA team got a SE reading a took St Charles Rd east to 294 and south past I55 only to come back in the correct area. I also got a SE reading and went north to North Av east to 295 and chose I55 west getting off at Rt 83. The other 4 hunt teams were closing in on Don. Matt parked at the Hinsdale South school and was off on foot checking out the baseball dugouts - no luck. Meanwhile, there was a foot race with Bill falling down letting Tony get to Don for the win. Don was sitting in the woods on top of a plastic bucket. Shortly Matt arrived for third and then Charlie for 4th. John arrived to secure 5th as I found Don to end the hunt. For food we went to the Patio a very short distance away. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Marty KB9SMR, Bill 3. Matt KC9SEM, Patty, Jacob 4. Charlie KB9DIM 5. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 6. Mike WA9FTS
We made our plans, and headed north. Checked 2 or 3 places, before deciding on the first, so we returned and scouted more carefully. No signs, woods with good cover, and hard to get to from west, north and east.
Google report 16 miles away. Google maps wouldn't go north up the alley, we were actually 1/4 mile north from the destination spot. The map picked 294 as the route, I think at least one hunter used it.
We were settled in the woods with good cover, but equipment issues forced us back to the car at the last moment, so we were 3 min late. Hunters has some issues too, and we were heard ok at the second test, released @ 8:13
We scooted to the floorboards as Tony arrived first, bypassed the car and ran into the woods. This allowed Don to walk up for the score. Tony got back on the next transmission.
Matt has circled a couple times before spotting the alley entrance, then also spent some time in the woods until a transmission reeled him in. Mike and Kevin also had trouble with the alley entrance. Kevin tried to walk in, but encountered a fence.
#1 W9RA - Don @ 8:49 #2 AA9CC - Tony & KC9QQY Joan @ 8:49 #3 KC9SEM - Matt, Patty & Jacob @ 9:04 (Jacob also scored solo) #4 WA9FTS - Mike @ 9:21 #5 N9JPJ - Kevin with sons Colin & Mason @ 10:03
We hadn't been to Bouna Beef in a while, so we picked it. We arrived too late to be served. So some hams who had already eaten left for home, while the remainder retired next door to Steak & Shake (24 hrs) at Algonquin and 58.
CFAR Foxhunt Report - November 3, 2012 by Tony AA9CC
This is the spot we didn't hide at on the last 5th Saturday hunt. We drove the Jeep and parked in in the weeds at the end of the trail. Power was 15 watts to the 2x2 array at 25 feet. First on the scene was John, WD9EXW at 8:40. At 8:45, Matt, Charlie and Mike followed in quick succession. Mike was at the lot 15 minutes prior, but ignored the opening in the trees. We moved to the parking lot and N9JPG took another hour with some help. Munches were at Jason's Deli at 22nd and York roads. W9RA joined us there. Some one riding with N9JPG lost his wallet during the hunt.
Results:
1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA 8:40 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty, Jacob 8:45 3. Mike WA9FTS 8:45 4. Charlie KB9DIM 8:45
5. Kevin N9JPG, Colin, Dave 9:40 Unoff Don W9RA Fox: AA9CC and KC9QQY
We had a new hunter tonight, Kevin N9JPG. He lives in Wheaton and we decided to not give him a 30 mile drive his first night. But we wanted it to still a challenge for everyone else - Hmmmm? So we were thinking the Wheaton or Glen Ellyn area perhaps.
Then, after some consideration, we picked a friend's house in unincorporated DuPage County near the munch spot. It might be a good spot, since no one knew the area yet. The well pit seemed like just the ticket but there was only room for one. I got in and Tom applied some cammo cover to the lid - brush and leaves.
We waited a few minutes for all the hunters to arrive at the start. After the test, master Tony reported 100% copy with 1/4 wave agroundnd level and 10 watts. Start was 8:10
Tony was first on scene and he was lucky. He was going past during a transmission. He suspected the garage, and - BOLD move - walked in! Although my car, easily recognizable to hunters, was inside. He was sure he was in the right place.
While I had no view of the area (in the front yard hole), I'm told by the observers it was quite entertaining to see everyone come in and score!
One hunter stepped directly on the (plywood) lid, and kept going!
1 - AA9CC Tony and Joan KC9QQY 8:52
2 - W9RA Don 9:06
3 - KC9SEM Matt and Patty and Jake 9:30
4 - KB9SMR Marty and Bill 9:30
5 - N9JPG Kevin
CFAR Foxhunt - Sept 1st, 2012 by Mike WA9FTS
Don K9VGJ stopped by to say hi before the hunt. Tony AA9CC gave us a weak but good test transmission. The signal was to the S / SE. The release transmission was not so good as he dropped out of the repeater most of the time. John and Tom headed south on I-83 as I did. I got a reasonably strong signal around Roosevelt Rd. As I headed south the next several transmissions were missed and not heard in the repeater. Somehow I kept on going to I-55 and then turned around. I got back to Roosevelt and Cermak from I-83 and then drove past the Oak Brook Mall. Tony was there but I kept going indicating I was quiting and going home. Later I found out John and Tom also drove down to I-55 and back north. They did not find the fox when I gave up. Charlie earlier gave up due to a lack of a signal to home in on. What follows is info I got from Tom.
Tony used a handheld talkie with a 1/4 wave skinny flex antenna. I don't know power. We headed to the adjacent parking garage. From top level (5) signal appeared to be from the skybridge on level 4 and then went to 4. The signal seemed to be from skybridge. We followed the signal, though I had doubts about walking into what I thought was indoors. We walked into skybridge, and Tony and Joanie were on bench maybe about 30 feet from skybridge. It was an open air part of the mall.
Don reported he suspected Tony was in a different parking structure, so he walked across the skybridge intending to walk through en route to that parking structure. He spotted Tony and Joanie for 2nd. Tony had permission from the Security Guards to hide there. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.85156,-87.95195&hl=en&ll=41.851558,-87.951951&spn=0.0005,0.000877&sll=41.851558,-87.951897&sspn=0.0005,0.000877&t=h&z=20
Munchies were at Giordono’s on 22nd St west of I-83. Since I was not there, no more pictures were taken. Results: 1. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 2. Don W9RA DNF Charlie KB9DIM DNF Mike WA9FTS
CFAR Foxhunt - Aug 4th, 2012 by Mike WA9FTS
Matt KC9SEM started the hunters with a strong signal to the SW of the starting point. Most of the hunters got there quickly. The location Matt chose was in Naperville off Diehl Rd between Eola and Rt 59. Charlie and I overshot by a few hundred feet to the wrong side of the RR tracks. I saw Tony walking on the west side and knew I had to get to the other side. Charlie got across but I was stopped by a freight train that took about 10 min to pass. Once there it was a foot race with Charlie winning it. Matt was in the woods lying on a blanket waiting for the hunters to arrive. I ended the hunt and we all went to Red Robin. Results: 1 - Tony AA9CC and Joan KC9QQY 2 - John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA and Janet 3 - Don W9RA 4 - Charlie KB9DIM 5 - Mike WA9FTS
CFAR FOX HUNT - JULY 7, 2012 by Tony AA9CC
Joan and I were at my sister's birthday party today. The weather has been hot all week and today was no exception - 103F. But around 4:00 a breeze came through and the temperature plummeted 20 degrees to the mid 80s; it felt surprisingly cool outside. There has been talk of moving the ACL start point south, and I though that the confluence of I355 and I88 Tollways would be a good choice. It's near the geographic center of the hunter’s QTHs, and accessible by limited access highways in the 4 cardinal directions. I found the Downers Grove Recreation Center parking lot on Google maps, and I also saw two parallel fences from the aerial view. Upon arriving I found the parking lot to be on a hill, and empty. The Rec Center closes at 7:00 PM on Saturday. The fences were 10 feet apart and not too overgrown. I carried the gear back to a stump of a hedge apple tree and set up. I could not get the 2x2 antenna through the trees, so height of the antenna was only 15 feet. It was pointed northeast to the start point in Elmhurst. We waited for Charlie and I made two transmissions before the start and was told to hush up by Mike. All had good bearing and the hunt started at 8:12. Matt was the first to walk up at 8:40 with Patty and Jim from Bloomington and family. They spotted the car from Belmont Rd after getting $10 of fuel at the Shell station. Next was Don two transmissions laterwith Charlie right behind him. John & Tom arrived 15 minutes later. Mike somehow got on the wrong side of the fence as he drove into the car dealer. After showing him the hole in the fence, and, helped by Tom, he photo-documented the fox den. Marty and team had equipment difficulties and had driven south to 83 and 55, lost the signal and returned. While packing up in the parking lot were were approached by two people that we recognized from Mike’s New Year’s Eve party. It turns out that Randy works at the Rec Center and saw the big antenna on Marty's car, small world. They joined us at munchies at the local Culver’s and we talked them into riding along on a foxhunt next weekend. Next Saturday we start at the new location and hunt on 146.565 simplex, 8:00 PM.
Results: 1) 8:40 Matt KC9SEM, Patty, Jim, Kaite, Lindsey & Callie 2) 8:50 Don W9RA 3) 8:50 Charlie KB9DIM 4) 9:05 John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA 5) 9:15 Mike WA9FTS 6) 9:32 Marty KB9SMR & Bill Unoff 7) Randy & Lisa
CFAR 2M Foxhunt June 2nd, 2012 by Matt KC9SEM
Patty and I had not realized we were the fox until the night before. With little time to prepare, we had looked at a few areas that we have been thinking about for a while. I was really interested in woods to the east of my final location (41.799604, -88.157884). Time was running thin and we had decided on the abandoned office complex dumpster corral. I used a half wave mag-mount on the side of the door . I was directly under 2 water towers and knew that my signal would reflect off of them. Using 5 watts, the master of the hounds had reported that everyone could hear me and that I was hitting the repeater. The hounds were released at 8:15pm, effectively starting the hunt. Tony, (AA9CC), was first on the scene and scored at 8:42pm. The Hunt ended at 9:16pm. All the hunters had gathered in the parking lot by Patty and Jacob, my little decoys. We all resumed our social evening at Red Robin on the corner of Winfield and Diehl roads.
1. Tony AA9CC / Joan KC9QQY 8:42pm
2. Don W9RA 8:44pm
3. Tom N9CBA / John WD9EXW / Janet 8:50 pm
4. Charlie KB9DIM 8:52 pm
5. Mike WA9FTS 9:16pm
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report May 5th 2012 By Tony AA9CC
Tony AA9CC hid in back of Walmart on 75th street, behind the 10 foot solid wood fence. Entrance was through a hole in the corner of the six foot black chain link fence surrounding the retention pond. The antenna was a tape measure yagi 15 feet up pointing west in a long needle pine tree and the power was 5 watts. Signal was weak at the starting point but heard. The drive was straight forward and you could almost drive up to me. Finding the hole in the fence was the key. KC9SEM was first to look around the corner although Don W9RA was the first on the scene. Mike WA9FTS arrived shortly after and walked completely around the pond. He went back to get his camera. Tom N9CBA and John arrived and all missed the hole in the fence. Mike WA9FTS found it but, like Don, failed to look around the corner and walked off. Tom did look and secured 3rd. You can see the hiding spot on the SRO web site. Tom & John were hiding on the west side of I290 200 ft north of Vallette St. 1) Matt KC9SEM, Patty and Jacob 2) Don W9RA 3) Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet 4) Mike WA9FTS
CFAR Foxhunt Report April 7th, 2012 by Matt KC9SEM
Patty And I scoped out our hiding spot early that afternoon. 41.828458, -88.171675. There were reports of possible rain in the area but turned out to be an idle threat. My signal was real weak at the start point. I started out with 5 watts and before I could run it all the way to 75 watts I had already lost one hunter for the evening. KB9DIM dropped out before the hunt but was gracious enough to explain he wanted a short hunt. This was more my fault then anything, turns out that I was lower in altitude and also pointed more North then I had expected. The hunt began at 8:16pm . First in the area was AA9CC. After searching in the thick brush for a few transmissions tony had scored first place at 9:07 pm. Second place was KB9SMR at 9:25 pm and after their patient battle with mother nature N9CBA & WD9EXW scored third at 10:04pm. K9TOW announced over the radio that he knew where I was and that it was time to eat, ending the CFAR hunt for April 2012. Once again congrats to Tony (AA9CC) for winning. Munchies was at chilies on the North West corner of Naperville and Butterfield Rd.
1.) AA9CC 9:07 pm
2.) KB9SMR 9:25 pm
3.) N9CBA & WD9EXW 10:04
4.) K9TOW DNF
5.) KB9DIM DNF
CFAR Foxhunt Report - Mar 3, 2012 by John WD9EXW We had discussed several spots, and settled on Berwyn area, seemed like it's been a while since we went that direction. We were here at about 30th & East St, school baseball field, 3rd base dugout.
The elevation of Point B on the following Google maps link is not reflected on the satellite view. Its a spot I found in 1991 and was considered for an ACL hide with a long beam antenna pointed at the top of the Oak Brook tower, but was forgotten, probably due to rain. I found it again while hiking along the Salt Creek in search if a spot yesterday. It's the bottom of a long trench like flood retention reservoir oriented north south, approximately 100 feet below grade. VHF signals travel by line of sight, so how could the signal get out of the hole? By edge refraction and scattering, like echoes off the tree tops and building tops that are illuminated. On the southern edge is a 3 element VHF link antenna on a 20 foot pole that looks just like a fox antenna, it made a good decoy. I think all the hunters spent some time there. I didn't bring the long beam, just a three element tape measure beam and a 1/4 wave mag mount. The mag mount was stuck to the steel cover of the concrete pump entrance as a decoy. A couple of hunters found it, Matt yelled a snide comment upon examination. I was hidden a hundred feet away, in the thick reeds. John, WD9EXW found me first, as expected, since he hid not far away a few years ago in what was one of the most challenging and frustrating hunts in memory, one of the few hunts where I took last place. He remembered the bicycle bridge across the creek. Don, W9RA was hunting along with Matt, KC9SEM, commenting like a coach. Don would have put more effort if he knew he was hunting for second place. Matt returned later with Marty, KB9SMR for 4th place. They crouched down near me as Mike, WA9FTS scooted by along the eastern ridge and Paul, N9LXF bush whacked to the west. They rounded up the hunt around 9:30, that would make it about 1.5 mile per hour as the crow flies from the Elmhurst start point.
1) N9CBA, WD9EXW, Janet 2) KC9SEM, Patty, Jacob 3) W9RA 4) KB9SMR, Bill 5) WA9FTS, N9LXF, K9TOW
Fox: AA9CC and KC9QQY
Tony Levand AA9CC
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Jan 7, 2011 by Mike WA9FTS
The January weather contiued to be above normal. Don W9RA gave a weak but northerly signal and we all headed north. Then a problem arose. The transmissions stopped. Don got on and tried something and one more transmission. Then it stopped again. Charlie KB9DIM who appeared for his first hunt in almost a year, got off I290 to Lake St going east. Paul and I got off at the 2nd exit to Lake St from I290. Finally Don got regular transmissions and the signal was due north. We took Mill Rd which was slow and over to Prospect/ Arlington Hts Rd north over I90 and east on Algonquin Rd. We saw Charlie driving around and he left. We discovered Don was on the south side of I90. We drove in to the North Point Center near ADP and parked. We ran over to a utility box with Don sitting down in front of it and a vertical antenna on the top of the metal box. As we scored, we saw Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW drive by. I was surprised as they were the 2011 overall hunt team champs & were about to finish last.
We all met at Sweet Baby Rays nearby and found out what happened to Don’s radio transmissions. Earlier in the day, Don made a CD with a 1 min transmission and 4 min of silence. Then the CD would replay - over and over - till the hunt was done. It worked in the house but the cooler temp outside caused the
CD player to shut down after one play. Don had to get out of his nice warm van to start it up. After two attempts, he did it the old fashion way - he used just his radio and things worked well after that to the end of the hunt. Tony, runner up by a slim 1 victory for foxhunt champion, got off to a good start. Tony and Joan took Rt 83 to I290 to I294N to Higgins and in to the North Point Center; a great path for the win. Matt KC9SEM was right behind with a similar path for 2nd. Results:
1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Matt KC9SEM, Patty, Jacob and Marty 3. Charlie KB9DIM 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 5. Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet
The CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 2nd, 2011
by Tom N9CBA
The December 2011 CFAR hunt got a slightly early start with the list of hunters being exchanged and test transmissions etc starting at 7:55 PM. The initial hunt rransmission started at 7:59. The foxes, Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW, used a 1/4 wave vertical mag-mount antenna atop a large fence pole. The fence was part of a baseball diamond in the north part of Pioneer Park in Niles. The park is at the southeast corner of Harlem and Touhy. The coax ran into the dugout. The dugout made a nice hiding place on a night with light rain. Janet served as lookout for the foxes.
The first hunt team spotted was Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF. They were heading north on Harlem and turned east on Touhy about 2 minutes before the next transmission. It turned out they turned into the lot of the tall apartments east of the hiding point, but they continued deep into the apartment area.
Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY parked in the apartment parking lot very close to the foxes. Tony got out on foot and ran south. On the next transmission, he ran back north, but passed west of the foxes by about 100 ft. It appears that he was getting a good reflection off of the parabolic-looking backstop.
Don W9RA had pulled into the park parking lot during a transmission. He stepped out and got a north reading. He headed that way. He spotted the antenna and scored. He and Tony had taken I294, but Don got off at Touhy. Don did drive north to Oakton to ge a faster road, but he came back south on Milwukee Ave. Tony had continued up I294 to Dempster.
Mike, Paul, Mat and Patty go on the north side of Touhy for a while, and made it to the south side to score. Much was at the Omega restaurant on Golf Rd - about 4 mles northwest of the hiding spot.
42.011332, -87.805210
#1 Don W9RA @ 8:42
#2 Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY @ 8:44
#3 Matt KC9SEM, Patty, and Jacob @ 8:57 #4 Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF
#4 Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Nov 5th, 2011 by Tony AA9CC
Hi,
Last week at munchies Matt mentioned that he would like a challenging
hunt. Mike said he would like a hunt like when I hid by my house and he
was the only one to find me. I found this spot about 15 years ago. It's
outside the ACL boundary but unlike other likely spots, has not succumb
to sprawl. The farm house once on the hill is gone and no longer a
barrier to entry. We left home around 6:30 and found when arriving at
the no-U-turn sign about 12 squad cars parked at the entrance. I drove
on, Joanie located a Target to purchase a stopwatch, which time didn't
permit. We drove back north on 56 and nonchalantly pulled up into
the drive, right past the strobing squads and tow truck. It seems they
didn't even notice. We spent about 10 or 15 minutes hiking through the
brush to find the road, bridge and hide spot. The road down along 56,
next to the squads and then turn east into the woods. Again they didn't
take notice. I drove up on the berm along the creek, but turned around
at an impasse, parked in the farmers field an setup the 35 foot mast and
2x2 antenna array against a tree with just a minute to spare. The
repeater signal was full scale and I could hear John's call on the
input. I peaked the antenna on his signal with 4 of the usual hunters at the
start. Mike did not get a bearing on the first try but the second test
transmission was 100%, not bad for 5 watts. The hunt was on at 8:05. A
train horn in the distance caused a pack of coyotes to howl, which
seemed not so far away. An hour want by and we heard rustling and stick
crack on the other side of the creek, Hunters? We heard a big splash as
if someone threw a bolder into the water, and imagined Tom & Mike
with heart attack rolling down the 20 foot embankment, off the cliff and
into the water, but there was no yell. It must have been a deer,
flushed out by the hunters. 15 minutes later we saw flashlights in the
woods on the far side. Third transmission later John ran by us on the
berm to the car, then back again and then found us on the next
transmission. Tom walked up also. They had taken 88 to Orchard to
Geneva, some side roads and then waited on 56 for a transmission, Janet
spotted the drive. Very efficient hunting, being in the right spot at
the right time. The rest of the hunters threw in the towel around 9:45.
Don was on foot on a bike trail west of 56, as was Matt and Patty. Matt
has walked a long way on the trail south near the bridge. Mike was east
at the end of a lane into a farmers field. Munches were at IHOP, one
mile east of us. Jacob has 4 teeth now and has started to crawl.
WA9FTS, N9LXF Mike hunting with Paul driving
KC9SEM Matt driving with Patty operating the DF gear.
W9RA Don hunting and driving without gear.
Fox: AA9CC and KC9QQY Tony and Joanie
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report Oct 1st, 2011 by Tom N9CBA
Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW hid in south of Taft Avenue just north of the fence the golf course. The location was west of Main street. The antenna was a mostly-vertical mag-mount atop the chain link fence.
Munch was at Alfie's Inn, Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, IL
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 2. Don W9RA 3. Paul N9LXF
Sept 2011 CFAR 2M Foxhunt
Sept 3rd, 2011
By Mike WA9FTS
The weatherman said it could rain heavily through the
evening so we decided to find a spot hiding in the van and be a drive-up. It
misted and that was all the rain we had. Paul N9LXF and Carol went along and we
tried a residential area called Briarwood which surrounded a small lake. The
location was between Algonquin Rd and I-90 and west of Rt 83. Only residents
and guest were allowed so we found a spot just west at the end of S Embers Ln
next to I-90. The hunt started at 8:05:50 PM with 3 hunt teams. The team of Tom
N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet. They took Rt 83 north and west on Algonquin Rd
and about 500 ft past Embers. They turned around and Janet, having a feeling
that she should turn down Embers, drove right to us for the win. Tony AA9CC and
Joan KC9QQY also took the same path and drove past. They got a reading and
thought we were on the south side of I-90. They soon found out this was not
true. Meanwhile, Don W9RA drove east on Oakton off Rt 83 and then quickly
turned around. He tried several streets and then on Embers to secure 2nd.
Several minutes later Tony and Joan arrived to end the hunt. We met at Lou
Malnoti?s on Higgins. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet8:29:36
? 23 min, 46 sec
2. Don W9RA8:52:06
? 46 min, 16 sec
3. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY8:54:33
? 48 min, 43 sec
We hid in Lombard just off of Highland, in the jeep parked next to a
building, hidden out of the way. Signal was 5 watts to a 1/4 wave mag
mount stuck to the side of a lamp post up the hill. All hunters had a
direction at the start. We first spotted John walking along the edge of
the parking lot 10 feet above us. He then spotted us and asked if he had
to come down here to score. Well, for first place, I would think so.
Unfortunately for John, now climbing over the dumpster, Mike in the
mean time had scrambled down the hill and ran up to the jeep. John was just a
few feet farther away than Mike, who reached through the window to grab
the card. Matt scored from the hill and Don through in the towel,
sighting equipment failure. Munchies were at the Patio, just a few
blocks to the south. Don caught a 4 foot musky in MN the weekend before.
1 Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
2 Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW & Janet
3 Matt KC9SEM, Patty & Jacob
DNF Don W9RA.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt July 2nd, 2011 by Mike WA9FTS
It was the start of a beautiful July 4th weekend.The temp wa cooling off from a high in the upper 90s and 4 hunters were ready to find Don W9RA. The initial signal was weak but to the SW. Three of the hunters took Rt 83 south and the FTS/LXF team tried north to North Ave and west to 355. But Don was not really far off and they took Addison to Butterfield Rd. Tony took Rt 83 all the way to Butterfield Rd. The Paul and Mike overshot and back to the road leading to I-88 West and then decided Don was on the other side of 88. Wrong move! In the mean time the three other hunt teams closed in on a building 400 ft east of Downers Dr to find Don next to a building using a vertical mounted on a metal electrical box. Shortly Paul and Mike arrived to end the hunt. We all met at Buona Beef down the street. We found out it was Tony's birthday and Joan, who was working till 8:30, arrive with a card and present - a Magellan GPS with a really big screen. Look to the web page for pix taken. Results: 1 - Tony AA9CC 2 - John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA 3 - Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 4 - Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report June 4th, 2011 by Tony AA9CC
I stopped at REI before the hunt to check out some Keen cycling sandals.
In the back parking lot I noticed a gate and decided to check it out.
It lead to a park with a pond, fountain and a ball field. Walking south
down the hill I found a boxed-in area about 10 meters wide with a 15
foot retaining wall topped by a 6 foot fence to the west, a concrete
parking garage to the south and a 7 story build to the east. There was
only access from the north. I set up the radio behind a pine tree next
to the retaining wall and the antenna was a dipole at 4 feet. Even though I
was below grade, I could make the Argonne (145.190) and Elgin (146.790)
repeaters with 5 watts. Coordinating with Joanie on the phone, who
worked late as was to meet at munchies, we found Giordanos
only a block west of the site. The signal was good both to the start
point, 3 miles to the north and into the repeater. Only 3 hunters showed
up that night, Charlie was in Rockford, obviously celebrating a new
lease on life and Mike was in Las Vegas. I lost count at transmission
number 10 and it was 45 minutes before Don walked up and scored first
place. Matt called in shortly after with a equipment operator error,
seems he had the sniffer set to peak and hold mode. John walked right by
during an extra transmission, jumped up to peak over the parking garage
wall and climbed over. He was followed by Tom who waked back and forth,
close enough for feedback through the hot microphone. On the third pass
he found me by walking along the retaining wall. Joanie ordered a deep
dish pizza before the hunt was over, as the wait was 45 minutes.
1 Don, W9RA 8:45
2 Tom, N9CBA and John, WD9EXW with Janet 8:55
DNF Matt, KC9SEM with Patty and little Jacob.
73, Tony AA9CC
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report May 7th, 2011 by Mike WA9FTS
The dire forecast for the evening did not materialize. The sky cleared up and it remained in the upper 40s throughout the hunt. Don W9RA announced that 5 hunt teams would participate. Paul
and I found a dead-end street in Berwyn just south of the BNSF tracks.
The road, called a Ct, was more like an alley. We found a driveway
between two buildings littered with trash. We parked the Caravan next to
one of the buildings and could not be seen from the court. The hunt
started at 8:06PM and about 15 min later gave Carol and call to meet us
at Famous Dave's. Tony AA9CC, without Joan, arrived and drove past us
to the end and then backed up and in to find us for the win. This
happened at 8:36 for a great time. Tony took St. Charles to I290 to
Cicero south to Cermak Rd west to Austin and south to 31st St. He then
drove west to 61st Ct and south to find us. Carol called and said Famous
Dave's was too busy to accommodate us. I suggested Chili's. Six minutes
later Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA drove in for 2nd. Charlie said
Chili's would also be too busy and recommended Portillo's at Roosevelt
and Des Plaines Rd. I called Carol and announce on CFAR the new munch
spot. Another six minutes past and John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA and Janet
arrive to take 3rd. About 5 min later a large noisy truck appeared
behind us but had lots of garbage to go over. Thirteen minutes later
Matt KC9SEM, Patty and Jacob drove in for 4th. Two minutes later Don
W9RA ended the hunt. Tony decided to go home to Joan but the rest of
us arrived at Portillo's without incident. Oreo snack boxes were given
out the the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC 2. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 3. John WD9EXW, Tom N9CBA, Janet 4. Mat KC9SEM, Patty, Jacob 5. Don W9RA
Click here for the map showing the starting point, best route and hiding spot.
Looking down 61st Ct
Between two buildings
Can you see us?
Now you can!
Tony is 1st to find us
Charlie 2nd - caught by the flash
You're gonna make me work for 3rd?
Matt walks in for 4th
We gather at Portillo's
Patty, Janet & Jacob
Grandparents with Jacob
John, Paul, Mike & Carol
Tom holds Jacob
Charlie & Alexis
Carol, Janet & Jacob
CFAR May 2011 2M Foxhunt Starting point, best route and hiding spot. Click on it to see details
We planned to hide at Matt's and Pattie's house in Montgomery, figuring anyone with a newborn would be home, but no, they were out hunting and little Jacob became the youngest fox hunter to date, 6 days old! Of course if he was born 6 hours sooner he would have had the irrevocable title of being delivered during last weeks foxhunt. We decided in the interest of public sanctitude, not to erect a 30 foot pole in their driveway and left. We spotted some hills across the wetlands but with no obvious route and without a GPS we ran out of time trying to drive there and decided to find a water tower to illuminate electromagnetically from beneath. We did so by pointing the 10 element beam straight up from the base of the tower. With some check to repeaters I thought we would have an adequate signal, 25 miles at 60 degrees. Using the ARRL VHF propagation nomagraphs, the signal would have been 10 dB over noise using a 10 dB gain antenna at 30 feet and 25 watts over the distance. All the foxhunters heard the 5 watt signal, except for Mike who reported not hearing but won the hunt none the less. The signal was horizontal, but not strongly so. The winning route was 83 to North Avenue to 355 to 59 to Odgen... The slower route was Butterfield through Glenn Ellen. The signal was remarkable good, we made two receive sites, Lisle and Lake Zurich. I heard Mike at the start on the input with 5 watts and a quarter wave. I suggested humorously that the the ACL repeater be set up this way. Munches were at Fridays on Orchard in Aurora.
Results: April CFAR Foxhunt
1 9:20 Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 2 9:20 Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW with Janet and Betsy 3 9:30 Don W9RA 4 9:45 Matt KC9SEM with Pattie and Jacob.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report March 5th, 2011 by Tom N9CBA
Charlie KB9DIM who was the fox did not supply the foxhunt report. The following was submitted by Tom N9CBA who was one of the hunters.
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis in car. Various roads were closed due to accidents, so that affected available routes. Munch was at Mother's Day restaurant on 22nd Street near 9th Ave.
1. Tony AA9CC 2. Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW, Janet 3. Matt KC9SEM, Adam, and Chad 4. Don W9RA
Here is where Charlie was located. It was a great spot.
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report February 5th, 2011 by Mike WA9FTS
Don tried to convince the hunters he would not be in his car like he has in the past. We did not believe him. The hunters started out going south on Rt 83. Charlie KB9DIM made the right choice as he got off at 22nd and drive east to York Rd. Charlie scored quickly for the win as he found Don on top of a snow mountain in the middle of a shopping center. Tom N9CBA came in 2nd 5 min later with Tony AA9CC and Joan KC9QQY 3rd - another 5 min later. Paul N9LXF and I arrived and circled the mound of snow and finished 4th. Matt KC9SEM, John WD9EXW ended the hunt. We met at Jason?s Deli a few hundered feet away. Results: 1. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA, Missy 2. Tom N9CBA 3. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 5. Matt KC9SEM, John WD9EXW, Patty, Janet
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report January 1, 2011 by Tony AA9CC
CFAR
Hunt, drive up. Mike hid here 18 years ago during a daytime fun hunt,
but Tom did not remember. No one drove in, though. Charlie called in
from a break in skiing at Lake Geneva. All had signal at start. Mike
gave up after the second transmission and went home. Don won the hunt by
walking in from the south. John found us 15 minutes later, he said it
was a a pity to use this spot for only 2 hunters. Access was from
Warrenville rd to the north. Signal was 5 watts to 5/8 mag mount on
roof. Dinner was at Omega Restaurant on Ogden in Downers Grove.
1 W9RA 9:00 2 N9CBA 9:15 DNF WA9FTS
Fox: AA9CC with KC9QQY
CFAR 2M Foxhunt December 3, 2010 by Mike WA9FTS
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA were the fox for the last CFAR hunt of the year. I did not get info from Charlie but from Tom N9CBA. Tony AA9CC tied Tom for the overall hunt lead with a win. Don W9RA finished 2nd with Tom N9CBA in third. With some help, Paul N9LXF ended the hunt. Results:
1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Don W9RA 3. Tom N9CBA 4. Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Report November 6, 2010 by Tony AA9CC
I found this spot while lost, cycling from the Wheaton hamfest to the
jewelers in Elmhurst last summer, looking for the prairie path. Whats
not shown on the map is a drivable berm extending from Shady lane to the
apex of the arboreal triangle, parallel to the river. The northwest
bank of the east branch of the Du Page river is covered with the typical
long matted grass found around wetlands, which makes perfect
concealment for the fox and his equipment. I placed the 2x2 sniffer
array about 4 feet off the ground in a small tree and treaded 50 feet of
coax under the mat to a spot under a grass covered fallen tree trunk
that beavers had chewed down a few seasons ago. The array was fed out of
phase with the front null aligned toward the start point, at 72 degrees
and 4 miles distant. The rear null was pointing at the berm entrance at
Shady lane and transmitter power was set to low, 5 watts. I was waiting
for Charlie to call so I could null the antenna on his signal, but
after waiting 5 minutes or so I found that radio was 15 kHz off
frequency and the slight noise I heard was Charlie's sideband. The 5
hunt teams had a horizontal signal at the start, which is strange since
the antenna was set vertically. After the second transmission I found
the timer was not set to repeat mode and I had missed a transmission.
Tom and John were the first in the area, Tom following the tire tracks
in the fallen leaves along the berm, found the car and was mulling
around the grassy field yelling for John. John kicked the tree branch I
was under and walked by , stepping just a few feet from my head. Charlie
by this time had also found the car and had checked out the far apex,
where the fence meets the river. Both teams now had found the antenna,
but Tom was hesitant to pull the coax, which I had tapped firmly to a
log. Charlie was calling out "are you the fox, KB9DIM" at various places
in attempt to throw the other team off. Charlie saw the direction of
the coax and assumed correctly that it ran straight. After stepping on
my legs and torso about 7 times he tapped my on the shoulder. John
stepped on me a few moments later, saying this is too soft for a log.
Charlie gave the girls a tour of the site. A few transmissions later Don
sniffed me out of the grass and told me Mike had quit hunting. He
spotted flashlights and left before Matt and Patty and ?? showed up on
the far side of the river. They asked if the could score from that side,
since it was a .7 mile hike through untamed wilderness from rt 53 and
would take another 20 minutes to get around. I agreed and packed up. We
met after word at Alfies Inn on Roosevelt.
Tony Levand AA9CC
CFAR foxhunt results:
1 KB9DIM, N9VRA & Missy
2 N9CBA with WD9EXW & Janet
3 W9RA
4 KC9SEM and Patty
DNF WA9FTS with N9LXF
The foxes, Tom N9CBA and John WD9EXW hid in southern Wheaton along a drainage canal just north of a Chipotle. The vertical 3-element Yagi was 11 feet up among the upper branches of a small tree. The antenna was pointed toward the Elmhurst starting point. The transceiver was in the 5-watt position, so the signal was weak but adequate.
The release was at 7:40PM.
Munch was at the nearby Chipotle. Janet joined us.
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY 8:30. 2. W9RA Don 8:45
CFAR 2M Foxhunt September 4th, 2010 by Joan KC9QQY
It was a crisp autumn evening, a great night for a fox hide. This was my first official hide (on
my own) and I decided to hide in familiar territory. Tony set up the
radio and antenna on the jeep and after a test run and actually
communicating with W9RA off I went. I left at 6pm in an effort to
confuse Tony and give all the hunters a fair chance. I chose a spot
in Downers Grove at Janes and 71st St. This spot was a few yards west
of 355 a location which might give some hunters trouble if they chose
the wrong side of the highway. The Westwood College parking lot was
bordered to the south by some vacant
land with some decorative landscaping, I parked the jeep behind a small
stand of pine trees which gave a little cover. The Hunters assembled at the
Elmhurst start point..... 1. Tony AA9CC 2. Don W9RA 3. Mike N9FTS - Paul N9LXF 4. Tom N9CBA - John WD9EXW 5. Charlie KB9DIM - Alexis N9VRA - Missy The
hunt started at 8pm with a test transmission, we had 100% on the
direction and I released the hounds. Tony had set the timer on the
watch for me so I believe my transmissions were
timely...........although I need to remember to stop transmitting after a
minute. The first signs of activity was approximately at 8:35
Tom(N9CBA) and John(WD9EXW) approached the hiding spot from the north
and proceeded to drive by....much to my amazement. After the next
transmission Tom and John returned driving in from the west catching a
glimpse of the jeeps reflectors in their headlights. They scored a
first place win at 8:40 pm. Mike(WA9FTS) and Paul(N9LXF) scored a close
second at 8:42 Tony(AA9CC) followed for third in quick succession after
spotting Mike and Pauls' vehicle in the parking lot. Charlie(KB9DIM)
Alexis(N9VRA) and Missy came in fourth after searching the other side of
the highway and Don(W9RA) concluded the hunt coming in approximately
9pm. We met for munchies at Max and Erma's on 75th and Woodward I think it was a good hunt for a girlie first hunt and I look forward to attempting to stump the pros on future hunts... now to win a few :)
The fox, Tom N9CBA, hid in a wooded area on a rise near the west end of a parking lot. The spot was a little south of Butterfield Rd, and about 1500 ft west of the Esplanade building.
Due to time constraints, the fox's car was in that parking lot rather than the usual bigger separation.
The 3-element Yagi antenna was horizontal about 20 ft up. The antenna pointed toward the Esplanade initially, although it may have shifted during the hunt.
The first hunters to drive up were Tony and Joanie. They located the car, and Tony went on foot pretty quickly. They scored efficiently and left.
Don pulled into the parking lot, and shortly after Matt and Patty pulled into the driveway to the south. Matt and Patty were actually closer to the fox at the start of the next transmission, but they were at a lower level. They climbed the retaining wall a little west of the fox, and found themselves in dense growth. Don scored using the easier path, and Matt dug through the brush to get to the open area. He then scored.
We munched at the Patio on Highland just north of Butterfield where we were joined by Charlie KB9DIM and Larry KA9KDC.
I had good intentions, I thought it's been awhile since someone hid
close by. I scouted the area earlier. Returned at 7 with gear &
Janet. Hiding only a short distance away, I wanted to be well
concealed. Had a roll of co-ax, and a ton of good spots.
Forgot the antenna! Janet left to get it. I scouted some more.
Antenna turned out to have a bad connector. Radio lost memorry, and I
couldn't remember how to turn on the tone. I elected to go simpler,
because I had trouble being heard. Went with Larson 1/4 wave 8' above
me and 5 watt HT. Lucky I was close, not sure what would have happened
had I been 10 miles further. Only had one hunter phone number - and he
had forgotten his phone!
Released at 8:10
I was along Salt Creek, west side. 1800' north of Eldridge Park,
and 150' behind the Waterford Banquet / hotel
Don got close, deciding a burger & coke
sounded good about then
Munched at Portillo's
CFAR 2M Foxhunt June 5th, 2010 by Tony AA9CC
After spending much of the day pulling the transmission from Joanie's
jeep and a failed attempt at constructing a collinear hide antenna, with
the pending threat of more downpours, we decided on a simple hunt. On
searching for a spot we were surprised to see 6 large turkeys walking on
a nearby road. An error on Google Maps shows Schaffner as a through
street, and not a foot path. Antenna was a 1/4 wave mag mount horizontal
on the tennis court fence driven with 5 watts. All 4 hunt teams had a
weak but discernible signal at the start. Joanie and I were both within
3 minutes of predicting the first place arrival time. We are
considering an unfair advantage, since the winning team are UPS drivers
familiar with Wheaton.
1 KC9SEM, Patty and Matt 8:44 (scanning electron microphone)
2 N9CBA with WD9EXW, Tom and John 8:52
3 W9RA, Don (Don hunts with no gear)
4 WA9FTS, with N9LXF Paul and Mike (Fouled up on the last mile)
Fox, AA9CC and KC9QQY Tony and Joanie
We got lost giving Mike and Paul a ride back to to the van in the twisty subdivisions to the north and then again driving to munchies at Three Dwarfs Inn (Is munchies term still valid, it seems so 70's) , passing Atten park several times. Joanie had a large Sunday and I waffles.
73 AA9CC
CFAR 2M Foxhunt May 1st, 2010 by Tom N9CBA
For the May 2010 CFAR Foxhunt, the fox, Tom N9CBA, was in a light woods
at 41.904603,-88.215591. The antenna was a vertical 3-element tape
measure yagi about 20 feet up. It was powered by a transceiver in the
25 watt setting. The fox was moderately well concealed by an olive
drab poncho. Fortunately the rain held off during the hunt.
Mike
and Paul were the first to drive up to the parking lot that was about
100 ft to the south. About 2 minutes later, Tony and Joanie pulled
up. Each went under the nearby power lines, and then, when the next
transmission started, headed into the correct wood. Tony quietly scored for the win.
After second place was in, Don pulled in to
the lot, followed 30 seconds later by Charlie. Don had been able to
get a bearing from the lot after arrival, but Charlie did not get
that. So Charlie also checked out the area under the power lines,
while Don went directly into the wood.
Munch
was at the nearby Steak 'n+Shake at North Avenue and Route 59.
1.
Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY 8:55 2. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 8:06 3.
Don W9RA 8:12 4. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA, and Missy. 8:19
CFAR 2M Foxhunt April 3rd, 2010 by Mike WA9FTS
Charlie
KB9DIM gave the hunters at the starting point a weak signal. He was running
low power to a tilted vertical antenna. It did, however, indicated he
was to the south of the starting point. Tom N9CBA would eventually won, took
83 to North east to 294 and south to 75th St. He then drove to Wolf and south
to 79th west to County Linr Rd and north across 55 to a frontage road and
down Tower Rd behind a large inducstrial building. He got out on foot
to see Don W9RA and Tony AA9CC. Charlie was behind a chainlink fence
with barbed wire on top in his car. The problem was to find the
opening in the fence that allowed Charlie to drive in. Tom found it
for the win with Tony and Don finishing in that order. Paul and I
took 83 to 55 and east to County Line Rd but drove by the frontage
road and looped around via Plainfield Rd, Wolf, 79th and then back to
County Line Rd. This time we drove in to the frontage rd and behind
the building to find the other hunters. I spotted Charlie in his car
but decided to quit and go home. The rest of the hunters went to
Portillo?s. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 3.
Don W9RA DNF Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt March 6th, 2010 by Tony AA9CC
Well it happened, after 51 and a half years it happened as I was
driving into the Harper parking lot at 6:55, wondering why I was the
only one hunting, looking at the date on my cell phone it dawned on me
that I was at the wrong start point, a senior moment. Calling Joanie as
I was leaving the lot and explaining the quick change in plans, I would
pick her up at my home Lemont and drive to the CFAR start point by
8:00. Arriving at Elmhurst at 7:55 all eyes on me, like a prey in a
wolf den, the hounds made it clear I was suppose to be hiding, oops.
After a 23 minute meandering drive we found this spot just a quarter
mile east of downtown LaGrange. Parked behind treatment pumps and the
beam pointed at the water tower. Charlie drove up surprisingly soon, in
23 minutes, Explained familiarity with the Ogdan overpass, but had
never ventured down here. He was thinking it was a good place to hide ,
until he found us there. Don was second, walking 10 feet with the beam
he saw the car from around the corner. Tom was having problems with the
signal and called in from 17th and 35 street. He found us at 9:30 and
we all met at at Aurelio's Pizza.We had some comments about the antenna on the car as we parked there.
Results:
1 Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA
2 Don W9RA
3 Tom N9CBA
Charlie KB9DIM was not sure if he had to go to work but at the lawst minute was able to hide. He had a strong signal for 3 of the 4 hunters since he was horizontally polarized. He was running about 5 wts to a 5/8 vertical attached to a chain link fence. We were the ones who did not hear since we were committed to vertical with our 4 el beam. So we followed Tom N9CBA north to North Av and east to I-290. We got off at Austin as we started to hear Charlie with a strong signal. We jogged over to Lake St and west to Ridgeland/ Tom stopped at a church and we parked by a 2 level parking lot by the Oak Park - River Forest school. We got caught up in the parking lot checking out every cranny. In the mean time Don W9RA and Tony AA9CC with Joan KC9QQY were heading down North Ave.Tony took Harlem Av north and some side streets to get to the area. Don took a side street just east of Oak Par Av north. Tom spotted Charlie first who was in an enclosed fence just north of the RR tracks and east of Scoville St. Tom slowely walked over to the gate that looked locked but was actually not. Tony got there and climbed over the fence and fell in a pile of branches. Getting up he dashed to Charile and beat out Tom by seconds for the win. Later Don arrived and found Charlie for third. I walked up the hill past Charlie and then down - twice on my back. Gaters do not provide good traction on ice. We ended the hunt and all went to Russell's in Elmwood Pk on Thatcher Av. Results: 1. Tony AA9CC, Joan KC9QQY 2. Tom N9CBA 3. Don W9RA 4. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF
CFAR 2M Foxhunt Jan 2nd, 2010 by Tom N9CBA
The foxes, Tom N9CBA, John WD9EXW and Janet, hid in the car at n41 degrees 52.065' W88 degrees 7.263'. That is in Wheaton. The temperature was in the mid single digits F.
There was some bridge construction in the area, which complicated some routes. Two of the four teams scored on foot across the railroad tracks. Charlie scored in a very fast time, while the other teams were on the other side of tracks and under-construction bridges for a while.
We munched at the nearby Geno's East in the old firehouse in downtown Wheaton.
1. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA 8:31 2. Tony AA9CC 8:40 3. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LSX 8:42 (on foot) 4. Don W9RA (on foot)
CFAR 2M Foxhunt - Dec 5, 2009 by Tony AA9CC
Hi,
If you were standing in this spot Saturday night, before being struck
by traffic, you would see a 30 foot antenna mast strapped to the
bikeway fence just a few feet this side of the box. The Route 83 bridge
connects the blacktopped Centennial Trail and I&M Canal Trails,
which run from Willow Springs to Romeoville. South of 135st street the
trail becomes crushed limestone and continues to La Salle-Peru,
Illinois. From there a 15 mile ride to Bureau Junction and the start of
the 105 mile long Hennepin canal trail which ends at the the
Mississippi river. When ever I rode across this bridge I would
contrive possible ways of making it a hiding spot. Yesterday, it was so
cold and windy on the bridge that we decided to park underneath and run
the coax 70 feet down to the car. I didn't seem so ominous in the
daylight, being familiar to the area.
The CFAR repeater was down for antenna upgrades, so the hunt was held
on 147.750 simplex. All hunters had a due south reading after hearing
the fox test transmissions on the input frequency. There was some
confusion because Mike had called earlier and wanted the hunt on the
output. New technology (cell phones) really makes coordination easier
than the old days of trying to make contact CFMC if the master is not
heard. I tuned the radio to 137.050, the LO frequency of the Vk
sniffers, which are now standard issue, and listened between
transmissions. To us the spot seemed straight forward, the antenna can
be seen hundreds of feet away, a right at the stop light south of the
main trestle and follow the service road, that looks like an entrance
to a junk yard, around and under the bridge. Well the junk yard decoy
kept any hunter from driving down and they all ended up parking north
in a pull off access for the bike trial, on the opposite side of the
Sanitary and Ship Canal. We heard some heterodyne and then a while
later, a full scale signal. Joanie spotted a flashlight above and a
felt a jiggle on the coax. Our first snag. It was Tom, who later said
it was instinct to go back to the woods across the bridge after
checking the antenna and search underneath the bridge for a dug in fox
den, was on his way back. The bike connector trail loops around
underneath to the east side of 83 and ends at a tee junction with the
I&M. With the canal water directly ahead it wasn't obvious that it
lead to the fox, so Charlie, who followed Tom by a half hour, returned
to east side, jumped the fence and slide down to the service road. The
two other hunters, Don and Mike with Paul eventually found there way to
us, each separated by a half hour or so. Me, Joanie, Tom, Mike and Paul
all squeezed into the Saturn for a ride back across. We dismantled the
setup and met at the new Portillos near Route 83 and 75th street. There
is now a three way tie again for Fox Hunter of the Year 2009 with 3
hunts left and one hide each for the contestants.
Results: December 5 2009
1 Tom N9CBA
2 Charlie KB9DIM and Lex N9VRA
3 Don W9RA
4 Mike WA9FTS with Paul N9LXF
On the November 2009 CFAR Foxhunt, the fox, Tom N9CBA, hid outdoors in brush. The antenna was a 3-element Yagi laid across bare limbs about 6 ft up and mostly horizontal. The transmitter was on the 25 watt setting. The location was near a high power tower south of North Avenue, west of Schmale, and east of Main Pl.
Tom's car was parked to the west of the starting point about 0.25 miles. Charlie parked there. Tony parked even farther west. They ran into each other and both traveled down the powerline right of way, toward the fox.
Tony took the west end of the vegetation that Tom was on the western part of, and Charlie went into the farther west. That area turned out to be marshy and heavy with brush. So Tony scored very efficiently. Charley battled the swamp and brush.
Mike and Paul came in from the north. That was unfortunate, because it lead them through the swamp (that the fox was unaware of when setting up the antenna). The swamp does not show up in the maps.
The munch was at the Culver's, within shouting distance just east of the hiding spot.
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie KC9QQY 8:36
2. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA
3. Don W9RA
4. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF
CFAR Foxhunt Oct 3rd, 2009 info supplied by Mike WA9FTS
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA got the hunters off with a good signal to the southwest. Paul and I took Rt 83 south to Roosevelt and west to Winfield Rd east to Plamondon Rd. We went east to a residential area next to the Seven Gables Park. Off on foot after seeing Tom N9CBA drive around in front of us. The chase was on!. Paul went off east and, after equipment problems headed west past the tennis court with a look inside. I then spotted Tom running for Charlie's car. I took off and got there 2 sec too late for 2nd. Tom had secured the win and the 11th overall win to take the lead for Hunter of the Year. A few minutes later Dn W9RA arrived and found Charlie to end the hunt. This broke a 3 way tie with Tony AA9CC and CharlieKB9DIM. We met at Chili's at Naperville Rd and Butterfield. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA 2. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 3. Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt Sept 5th, 2009 by Tom N9CBA
On the September 2009 CFAR Foxhunt, the fox, Tom N9CBA hid at the south edge of Van Voorst Park in Elmhurst (N41.878775 W87.927892). The antenna was a horizontal 3-element beam about 15 feet up, among tree leaves, pointing east. The antenna was at the fence line on the south edge of the park, and fairly near first base of the ball diamond. The transmitter was set to 5 watts. Don K9VGJ helped set up and served as a spotter. Charlie may have been helped by spotting the spotter driving the fox's car early, however. Even though the spot was fairly near the starting point, the fenced railroad line to the south of caused those to come in from the south some difficulty. There was a pedestrian underpass in line with South Poplar Avenue that one hunter found, but some others had to go around.
We munched at Fitz's Pub, joined by Don K9VGJ and Jo.
1. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA 2. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 3. Don W9RA 4. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF
Charlie KB9DIM gave us a booming good signal to start the hunt and we all headed south. Paul and I took Rt 83 and the others a faster route. We got in the area of Joliet Rd and I-294 on the west side of the toll booth. Since there was the Timber Trails golf course to the east across the tollway, he could not be there - WRONG. Tom N9CBA and Don W9RA checked it out to find the golf course was removed two years ago. Charlie was running 35 w to a 5/8 j-pole up 20 ft. We never made it to Charlie. We were then busy trying to find Tom who was totally exhausted and gave us the wrong location. Don drove him to Appleby's after the hunt. Results:
Due to time constraints we we crunched to hide. We put the radio and battery on the table, antenna in the tree, turned on the radio just as we were being called by the master of the hounds. Three hunters had no signal the first try, putting the antenna up another 8 feet and changing from low to mid power (35 watts) all heard. Don was first in the area but retreated back when first place being open was announced. Charlie and then Tom after some time found us on the picnic table. many restaurants were closed or closing on July 4th evening. Munched at Windys at Potter and Dempster.
Call Time Place W9RA 8:45 DNF KB9DIM 9:00 1 N9CBA 9:15 2
Fox AA9CC
CFAR Foxhunt June 6th, 2009
Info from Mike WA9FTS
Tom N9CBA found a spot in Wheaton south of Roosevelt Rd and east of Naperville Rd in a parking lot - it was a drive-up hunt. Tom used a 1/4 wave vertical on the roof of his SUB and running 25 w. Tony AA9CC arrived first for the win with Charlie KB9DIM securing 2nd. Third to find Tom was the team of Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LCF with Don W9RA ending the hunt. We met at the Seven Dwarfs restaurant and Larry KA9KDC joining us. Results: 1. AA9CC, Joan 8:38 2. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 8:47 3. Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 4, Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt May 2nd, 2009
Info from Too=m N9CBA
A warm spring evening was the setting for the May 2009 CFAR foxhunt. The Fox, Charlie KB9DIM, along with his daughter Alexis N9VRA, chose a hiding spot in Hoffman Estates alongside the tollway.
Using a Yaesu FT-2800M radio feeding 8.5 Watts (measured using a Bird Model 43 Watt meter S/N 98885 into a Bird model 8085 50 Watt dummy load S/N 27401), to 25 feet of RG-214/U coax, connected to a vertically polarized M2 2M4 Yagi antenna mounted 8 feet up in a tree, pointed toward the starting point. The Starting point was 13.8 miles to the Southeast of the hiding spot.
The hunters were released shortly after 8:00pm CDT, with all hunters reporting having a heading.
35 minutes into the hunt, the first hunter was spotted driving into the parking lot of the school that was located near the Fox. Shortly thereafter, flashlights were seen as the hunter mad his way toward the Fox. Another hunter was heard searching the area near a small creek that was located just west of the Fox. First and Second place came in, within a few minutes of each other.
1st Tom N9CBA
2nd Don W9RA
DNF Mike WA9FTS & Paul N9LXF
We went to a nearby Max & Erma?s restaurant, where we were joined by Bob WA8USR.
CFAR Foxhunt April 4th, 2009
Info from Tony AA9CC
We found a good spot, but the joke was on us as Charlie had used it
last summer on a hunt we didn't attend. The hunters had no problem
navigating the foot path where Rt 171 bridges the Des Plaines River,
except for Tom, who didn't find the way in the first time. We were on a
treed hill with a 32 foot mast and were level 1 at the start with 5
watts.
1 Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 8:47
2 Don W9RA 8:49
3 Mike WA9FTS, Paul N9LXF 9:15
4 Tom N9CBA DNF
Comments from Mike WA9FTS - Tony and Joan found a very good spot that required a lot of effort to figure out how to get there. Once there, the path through the woods was difficult and quite long - around a half km. This was a well-thought-out and run hunt.
Starting Pt-Don did not arrive yet.
Tom is ready - let's go!
Mike and Paul find Tony & Joan
Portillo's-Left - Right - Don, Tony, Joan, Tom & Paul
Portillo's-Left - Right - Paul, Alexis, Charlie & Mike
CFAR Foxhunt
March 7th, 2009
Info from Paul N9LXF
Paul N9LXF hid in a parking lot in an industrial area
off American Rd just east of Plum Grove Rd and south of Rt
58 in Schaumburg. The hunt started at 8:06 PM. Paul was
using a Comet 801 vertical attached to a dumpster. Tony
AA9CC guessed Paul was around WoodDale and found him in 18
min for the win. Don W9RA came in 2nd 21 min later. They
met at Portillo's west off Rt 58 for the munch.
Results:
1. Tony AA9CC 8:24 2. Don W9RA 8:45 3. Tom N9CBA
8:50 4. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 9:24
CFAR Foxhunt
Feb 7th, 2009
by Charlie KB9DIM
It was a warm evening, caused by a rare February warm
front. The fox Charlie KB9DIM chose a hiding spot along side
Harlem Avenue in the town of Argo. There was a hard to see,
access road that led back under an overpass that allows
Harlem Ave. traffic to go over a busy rail line. Using a
Yaesu FT-2800M mobile radio set on high power (65 Watts),
feeding an M2 2M4 4 element beam, that has a 7.5 dBd gain
rating, vertically polarized, and mounted 15 feet above the
ground. The antenna was fed with 50 feet of RG-8 coax.
With a distance of 11.6 miles from the starting point,
all the hunters reported hearing the signal. During the
hunt, there were a large number of trains moving in and out
of the rail yard that the fox was near, using tracks that
were 200 feet to the east of the hiding spot. These trains
could have affected any hunters that tried to approach from
the east.
At 8:50 pm the first hunters were spotted running
toward the fox, from the north. Knowing that other hunters
were in the area, the fox continued to provide
transmissions. Ten minutes after first place had finished, a
vehicle was spotted driving toward the fox, but it turned
out to be a Beltway Railroad police vehicle. The officer
informed the fox, that the access road was railroad property
and inquired what was happening. After being told that we
were conducting a foxhunt, he seemed to be satisfied, and
returned to his vehicle. But after a few minutes, he once
again came up to the fox and said that the railroad
supervisors, wanted the fox to leave. The fox pointed out
that there were no signs posted saying it was private
property, or that trespassing was not allowed, but this fell
on deaf ears. After packing the antenna up, the fox drove
out, and was spotted by a hunter right away. Relocating to
Argo High School, that was just across Harlem Ave. from the
original hiding spot the fox once again began providing
transmissions.
1st Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 2nd Don W9RA DNF Tom
N9CBA
We retired to Portillo's / Barneli's at Archer and
Harlem Avenues, in Summit Illinois.
CFAR Foxhunt
Jan 3rd, 2009
by Mike WA9FTS
The info on the hunt was supplied by Tom N9CBA who
hid. Tom found a parking lot at the Danada Square shopping
center north of Butterfield Rd and east of Naperville Rd.
Most of the hunters overshit but recovered to find Tom.
Larry KA9KDC and xyl Carol joined the hunters at Red
Robin.
1. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan 3.
Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt
Dec 6th, 2008
by Charlie KB9DIM
Having a relaxing afternnon, I spent quite some time
usning Google Earth to locate a tough hiding spot. Having
found a suitable place to hide, I prepared the equipment.
Everything was on course for a good hunt; then the phone
rang. It was the station calling to tell me that the channel
48 transmitter had gone off the air. Dialing in to control
the transmitter remotely, I attempted to bring it back on.
Bit it wasn't to be that simple. So at 6:30 I hppped in the
car and drove to Sears Tower. Once in the scene, I was able
to get the transmitter back on the air. But now it was 7:30
PM and I still had to drive home to get my daughter with 15
minutes to get into a hiding spot. There was not possiblity
of using the location I had found earlier, so I had to come
up with some place quickly. I drove to a movie theater in
Hidgkins not too far from home. I cose a parking place in
the most crowded part of the parking lot just in time for
the hunt to start. After 35 minutes or so, Tom N9CBA's car
was spotted prowling the lot just to the south of us. We
lost sight of him as he moved through the lot. After two
more transmissions Tom came walking up to claim first place.
As he was standing next to us, Tony AA9CC was spotted off to
the north. Tom slunk away unnoticed by Tony and Tony was
able to find us for second place. Less than ten minutes
later Don W9RA drove in to the lot and was out on foot. As
soon as I began transmitting again, he was able to zero in
on the signal to claim thrid place. We retired to a nearby
Applebee's for dinner. Results:
1. Tom N9CBA 2. Tony AA9CC, Joan 3. Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt
Nov 1st, 2008
by Tom N9CBA
The November 2008 CFAR hunt had nice dry weather in
the 50s. The Foxes, Tom N9CBA and Don K9VGJ, hid in spot
that Don had scouted out. The area was between a retaining
wall and the I-88 fence in Oakbrook, adjacent to Costco.
The first antenna tried was very stealthy, but it did
not hit the repeater adequately. The antenna that was used
was a 5/8 mag-mount sticking mostly horizontally to the top
of a fence pole for that fence. The foxes located the
antenna, and then followed the coax to the nearby hedge,
that provided comfortable concealment.
The spot, being below the grade of the nearby parking
lot, did not give the foxes a view of nearby hunters, but
the teams did report checking out various spots north and
south of I-88.
We munched at Giordano's in Oakbrook Terrace, just
north of the hiding spot across 22nd street.
1. Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA 8:46
2. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 8:53
CFAR Foxhunt
October 4th, 2008
by Tony AA9CC & Joanie
Some of the guys at work play in the Dime a Dozen Band
and I had every ntention of having munchies at the
Cornerstone Piano Bar so our foxhunting group could meet and
talk with some of the nuclear physicists there, however a
revolt assumed amongst us due to the extreme volume of the
rock music playing and thus munchies where had down the road
at Buena Beef. Charlie got a cell phone call and quit at the
last minutes of the hunt to monitor channel 48 transmitter
problems. Tom congratulated us on a "very good spot" after
bush whacking a direct approach from our cars parked between
the buses behind the school, missing the easy path. Several
slightly unnerving animal noised were heard waiting in the
dark for the hunters to arrive. The hunt was offlate at
8:20. Peaking the antenna on Charlie's signal at the start
point helped some of the problem making the repeater and
start point simultaneously, but it seem part of Tom's
equipment was also at fault.
I found the spot on Google maps right behind them
piano bar. Mike, WA9FTS is still on strike. We assumed Don,
W9RA is still reeling from last week's hunt and the rest of
the old time regulars have just faded away. Hiding Spot:
41.740494,-87.970791
Results:
1 Tom N9CBA 9:15 DNF Charlie and Lex KB9DIM 9:20
CFAR Foxhunt
Sep 6th, 2008
by Tom N9CBA
The fox, Tom N9CBA hid at the southeast corner of the
Rt 50 (Cicero) bridge over the Cal Sag canal. That is just
south of Alsip. The antenna was a vertical 3-element yagi up
about 20 feet from the bridge walkway. The antenna was
somewhat camouflaged from the north by the bridge and south
by an adjacent street light pole. The transmitter was set
for 25 watts. The fox was just slightly down the steep slope
at the edge of the bridge, below the antenna Everybody
reported hearing the signal from 20.6 miles away.
The optimum route was to get on to the southbound
Tri-state tollway to the Cicero exit. That was the winning
Move of Tony and Joanie. The performances were all very
good, even for those who chose lest optimal routes.
Munch was at the nearby Uno Chicago Grill.
1. Tony AA9CC and Joanie 8:51
2. Mike WA9FTS and Paul 9:03
3. KB9DIM Charlie and Alexis 9:04
4. W9RA Don
Fox location:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=41.654976,-87.738254&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr
CFAR Foxhunt
Aug 2nd, 2008
by Charlie Fisher KB9DIM
After a day working on the family boat, the fox Charlie
KB9DIM decided to chose a hiding spot that would limit his
driving. Leaving his parents house in Buffalo Grove, the fox
drove east on Lake Cook Road, intending to find some spot
somewhere near the lake shore. On the way, traffic became
very heavy, with cars heading to Ravinia. To avoid the
traffic, the fox decided to drive south on Skokie Blvd.,
which took him past an abandoned parking lot, that was once
owned by ComEd.
The fencing surrounding the lot had openings in it, and
the gate was open.
Using 50 watts from a Yaesu mobile radio, into an M2 four
element beam vertically polarized. The fox chose a spot in
the bushes. During the test transmission, it was determined
that adjustments needed to be made to the antenna, so the
hunters could get a signal.
The hunt began at 8:09pm
Tom N9CBA was the first hunter into the area, in between
transmissions; he drove his car within a dozen feet of the
fox, and got out. He was able to find the antenna during the
next transmission, but had to follow the coax; which the fox
had laid out through the bushes, in order to score.
After scoring Tom hunted the beacon CW transmitter that
was operating on another frequency, for the heck of it.
Don W9RA came into the area very shortly after Tom had
scored, having looked over this site for his own use. He
too, found the antenna first, and had to follow the coax to
the fox, for second place.
A short time later, Mike WA9FTS was heard by the fox on
the other side of the fence, after driving around, and
coming into the lot, he found the fox, after spotting the
display on the fox's radio.
The group headed to a very nicely appointed Barnaby's
that was located 2/10 of a mile north of the fox on Skokie
Blvd.
CFAR Foxhunt
July 5th, 2008
by Mike WA9FTS
The July 4th weekend continued to be perfect. Three
hunters started out at the shopping center at Rt 83 and St.
Charles Rd in front of Sears Essentials store. Charlie
KB9DIM and Alexis N9VRA took St. Charles west - Tom N9CBA
and Paul N9LXF and I took North Ave west. Charlie took the
better route as Don W9RA was just off St Charles Rd across
from Ackermann Park. Don was in his car by tennis courts
south of St. Charles Rd. Charlie went in for the win. Tom
and Paul and I headed into Ackermann Park and was fooled by
the reflection off the water tower to the east of the park.
Tom and Paul walked west to Eastern Ave and south to find
Don. I headed through weeds well over my head to the south.
After getting about 80% of the way to Don, I get a phone
call from Paul who told me he found Don - for 2nd. I pushed
my way back through the weeds again trying to follow the
path I previously took. We went to Portillo's on North Ave
by Bllomingdale Rd. Results:
1. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis N9VRA 2. Paul N9LXF, Mike
WA9FTS 3. Tom N9CBA
CFAR Foxhunt
June 7th 2008
by Charlie KB9DIM
The fox Alexis N9VRA with the guidance of Charlie KB9DIM,
chose a hiding spot on the west side of Chicago, very near
the border of Elmwood Park, 9 miles from the starting point.
The spot was located just south of West Grand Avenue, behind
a factory equipment supply company. To gain access to the
rear parking area, hunters would need to locate an un-named
road, just to the east, that ran along a railroad spur.
There was only one entrance to the area, without having to
climb fences. The fox first chose a spot near some parked
trucks, but discovered that a number of young feral cats had
made a home under the vehicles, and not wanting to upset or
hurt the locals, the fox chose a spot near a loading dock
door to park the car. This location was very visible for
anyone entering the area, so it was decided that it would be
best to hide outside the car.
Using a 5/8 2m mag mount antenna, fed by 15 feet of RG59
coax, and a Yaesu FT-2800M, running at its full power
setting. The hiding spot was alongside the building, which
had corrugated steel siding, near an inside corner of the
building (see attached Google Earth photo). The antenna was
attached at a height of about 7 feet, to the western side of
the building, and was horizontally polarized.
The fox N9VRA received the call from the hunt master at
the appointed time. Having taken the calls of the hunters, a
test transmission was made, and all hunters reported having
a signal. At the end of her transmission, N9VRA announced
that KB9DIM would be acting as her proxy, since she is not a
big fan of the bugs. N9VRA then retired to the car, where
she acted as the spotter for KB9DIM. The hunters were
released shortly after 8:00pm.
The horizontally polarized signal adjacent to two sides
of the building, provided the hunters with a number of
reflections. The first hunter into the immediate area, got
out of his car, and inspected the area near a water tower
that was on the property, while waiting for a signal from
the fox. When the fox began transmitting, the hunter turned
and walked straight to the fox, to win first place. It
remained quiet in the area for about 20 minutes until the
second hunter to enter the parking lot was sighted. The
reflections caused this hunter to closely inspect the water
tower as well. And after making a number of passes around
the lot, decided to leave and inspect the alley to the
west.During this lull, the third hunter into the area was
spotted, walking down the alley, unfortunately, there was a
high fence between the fox and him. The second hunter,
returned to the lot, and began looking all over the area,
inspecting the trucks that were home to the kittens. Shortly
after their return to the parking lot, they were joined by
the third hunter to be seen, having given up on the alley,
both teams began searching in earnest.
1st Don W9RA 8:48pm
2nd Tony AA9CC 9:21pm
3rd Tom N9CBA 9:26pm
DNF Mike WA9FTS
The foxes and the hunters retired to an Applebee's that
was located a very short distance away, on Grand Avenue.
CFAR Foxhunt
May 3rd, 2008
by Tom N9CBA
The fox, Tom N9CBA, hid near the southeast corner of Lake
Street and Villa Avenue (Wood Dale Road). This was just
north of a forest preserve area. The weather was cool but
nice. Some fallen trees contributed to concealment. The spot
was about 200 feet from Lake, the nearest road. The area had
moderate vegetation that was neither dense nor sparse.
The antenna was a vertical 3-element Yagi pointing toward
the starting point. The boom was clamped to a branch about
11 feet up. The radio was set for the 1.5 watt nominal
setting. Everybody reported hearing the test transaction,
and the release was at 8:04.
Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis KC9NPH were seen turning into
the Shell station on the north side of Lake at 8:14. Very
efficient. The score took some foot work and distinguishing
the soggy vs firm ground by flashlight was a little tricky.
The hunters scored fairly close to each other in time, but
did not spot others scoring.
1. Alexis KC9NPH and Charlie KB9DIM 8:44
2. Mike WA9FTS and Paul N9LXF 8:49
3. Don W9RA 8:50
Munch was about 600 feet south west of the hiding
spot at the Sunmist restaurant where we were joined by Don
K9VGJ and Jo.
CFAR Foxhunt
April 5th, 2008
by Charile KB9DIM
It was a clear cool evening, and the fox, KB9DIM chose a
spot in a wooded area just north of the WGN-AM transmitter
site. The starting point for the hunt was the new location
at St. Charles and Route 83, which was 9 miles to the south
east.
The fox had originally planned to hide out of the car,
but his signal wasn't heard by a majority of the hunters, so
the fox hid in his car, using a mobile radio. One hunter,
Don W9RA, had misplaced his beam antenna, so he decided to
hunt unofficially. That left Tom N9CBA and Greg N9SA to hunt
the fox. After the hunt was started, the fox received a
phone call from Don, and he was given the clue that the fox
was located near 2 AM radio stations. With that little clue,
he set out to try and find the fox using a jury rigged
directional antenna on his HT. Having started from the
location he was searching for his lost beam antenna, he was
the first to find the fox, although unofficially. After the
hunt, the fox and the hunters went to Bennigan's in
Schaumburg IL.
1st Tom N9CBA
2nd Greg N9SA
CFAR Foxhunt
March 1st, 2008
by Tony AA9CC
Not allowing enough time, due to other priorities, I was
scrambling to hide at 7:30. The spot I had picked out on my
bike ride that morning was a walk up, so instead I chose the
spot that wasn't so good. Upon arriving at the Road Safety
company I ask two workers walking into a building if I could
park there for an hour, they said no problem. I kick a slow
hill way and was able to park behind some mobile traffic
sign trailers, thinking the hunters would drive in. The spot
was off the south frontage road along I55. Last year they
the removed much of the frontage roads in the area and
blocked them. They are still shown on the map though. The
entrance to the dead end was a mile to the west, which no
one found. They all walked in, 4 from the east around the
drainage pond and Greg from the west. I saw Tom drive along
the far side of the pond and left. Mike and Paul showed up a
minute later and parked. When I transmitted he left. Then
Charlie parked there and got out on foot. I figured he would
go back, since it was a far walk and not the most direct
route to me. 10 minutes later, he clamored over the snow
hill, 20 feet behind me and slipped and fell down. He got up
and fell again. I got out of the car to see if he was ok, he
was and out of breath, thinking Tom was about to drive up
and score. Mike and Paul were second, parking near Charlies
Jeep. When they got to me Mike was yelling and cussing at
Paul for driving away and Paul yelling back "it was only a
5" on the scale. They may have parked in a pattern null. I
asked them if they always yell at each other and yes they
do. Tom walked in for third and Don about the same time.
Greg finished the hunt around 9:50. Signal was strong at the
start with 50 watts to the foxhunting beams. Munchies were
found at Bakers Square in Bolingbrook. Don gave us an
interesting history on the M-16 and a show and tell with
casings, powder and shells.
Results:
1 KB9DIM and Alexis
2 WA9FTS and N9LXF
3 N9CBA
4 W9RA
5 N9SA
CFAR Foxhunt
Feb 2nd, 2008
by Mike WA9FTS
The weather was just below freezing with no wind. Five
hunters waited for the release which was at 8:15. Paul N9LXF
and I hid in my min-van at the end of a road that was, we
found out later, on airport property. To get to us, the
hunters neede to take River Rd to Balmoral and west and
south to a road that went west for several hundred feet;
then north for a quarter mile and a parking lot. There was a
gate that only allowed tankers to go through to get fueled
for the aircraft at O'Hare. We kept the heater on to keep
comfortable and wait for the hunters. Tony AA9CC arrived at
8:38 for the win - his third in a row(CFMC & 34 before).
Seven min later Charlie KB9DIM and Alexis arrive for 2nd.
Tom N9CBA was 4 min later for 3rd. Greg N9SA and Don W9RA
chose not to go in. A sign at a t-intersection was
interpreted in different ways. We met at Chili's on Mannheim
south of Touhy. Results:
1. Tony AA9CC
2. Charlie KB9DIM, Alexis
3. Tom N9CBA
4. Greg N9SA
DNF Don W9RA
CFAR Foxhunt
Jan 5th, 2008
by Mike WA9FTS
Tom N9CBA had a very weak signal but enough for the 4
hunters to hear. Three hunters went north on Rt83 to North
Av and west. Paul and I went south to Roosevelt Rd and west.
Don W9RA overshot to St. Charles and had to recover. We went
past to Rt 59 and back on Geneva Rd and east on High Lake
Rd. We parked next to a building at the NW corner of High
Lake and Winfield. Tom came on and I got out and ran around
a brick structure to find him in his car for the win. We
drove off and about 4 min later Charile secured 2nd. Shortly
Don recovered from St. Charles for 3rd. It took a while but
Greg N9SA finally found Tom to end the hunt. We met at
Caliendo's a hundred feet away on the corner. Results:
1. Paul N9LXF, Mike WA9FTS
2. Charlie KB9DIM
3. Don W9RA
4. Greg N9SA
VK3YNG Hand-Held Sniffer
This is perfect for portable operation and covers the 2M frequencies and those for ELT hunting
